Updated September 2023

The patron database is part of the shared automation system.  With only a few exceptions, there is one record per user.  That record/card may be used to check out material at any WALS library.   If a user is delinquent at one library, he/she is usually delinquent at any other WALS library. Patrons with a Profile of PUBLIC get blocked at $10.00.  Patrons with a Profile of PUBLIC2 get blocked at $25.00.

Libraries agree to follow format rules for entering patron records.

Libraries may collect and keep fine money owed at another library, but payment for lost materials and collection agency fees must be made to the library that owns the material.

The Library field in the patron record determines which Local Hold items are used to fill holds.

The User Profile field in the patron record determines the loan period, fine rate, and maximum fine for items checked out.

The User Category 1 field records where the user lives (or the code for the seasonal residence).VERY IMPORTANT!

The User Category 2 field records the county of the user's residence

The User Category 3 field records the gender of the user. Not important anymore

Exceptions to the one record per user:

• Children with divorced or separated parents whose parent(s) have requested separate cards.
• Teacher cards

Last Activity Date is updated by: Checkouts, discharges, renewals, paying fines, placing holds, using a Pharos-controlled public PC, or an online database that authenticates using the database.  The date is NOT changed by changing the user's address, pin numbers, etc., or by renewing an expired card.