Some libraries use the library card number as a login to the digital library. On some occasions the library may issue a new library card with a new number to a user.

If the change of number is made only in the library's ILS, a new account will be created with the new identifier the next time the patron logs on to the digital library. This patron will no longer have access to the loans and holds that may currently in effect in their old account. They will also lose their browsing history and reading list. Within the digital library, this is a new patron (because there is a new unique identifier), whereas a librarian might consider it a duplicate.

In order to avoid this situation, it is important to change the patron's ID number in the digital library before the patron logs in for the first time with the new ID. To do so, proceed as follows:

  1. In the Patrons > Search section, conduct a search to find the desired patron by their old ID number or their email address.
  2. Click on the patron's line that appears after the search to open the patron's details page.
  3. Click on Modify.
  4. Click on the padlock icon to the right of the Identifier field.
  5. Confirm that you really want to unlock the field in the dialog box that displays.
  6. Change the user name and click Save.

Plus de détails sur cette action dans Editing a patron's data.

What if the patron has already logged in to the digital library and a new account was created?

It is not too late to act so that the patron can recover their information from the old account. The newly created account should be deleted and the old account ID changed. It is important to follow this order, as the patron's ID is unique. It will not be possible to change the old account ID if the new ID already exists elsewhere in the digital library.

To delete the new account:

  1. In the Patrons > Search section, conduct a search to find the desired patron by their new ID number.
  2. Click on the patron's line that appears after the search to open the patron's details page.<
  3. Make a note of the patron's ID number, as you will no longer have access to it in the digital library.
  4. Click on Modify.
  5. Click on Delete.
  6. Confirm that you really want to delete the account in the dialog box that displays.

Then follow the procedure described above to replace the old patron's ID with the new one.