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January 07, 2009
San Francisco Public Library offers eCards for all California Residents
All California residents can now sign up for a San Francisco Public Library eCard via their online application (also available in Spanish and Chinese). The eCards are allow immediate access to all of SFPL's databases, eBooks, and other virtual content. Users would have to visit a physical SFPL library to pick up a "real" full-service card to check out materials. They offer an FAQ about eCards with more information.
More and more libraries are following this dual model of eCards and "full-service" cards. SFPL has a host of awesome databases (where do they get the money for all of these?) so California residents just got a huge boon. If your library in California is short on databases, point your users to SFPL's service. Don't feel badly - it's not about the inadequacy of your own collection (which many libraries freely admit). Budget times are tough, after all. What it's about is expanding your users' access to more materials, and showing them the sharing and cooperation-oriented nature of libraries. Let's face it. Users don't care where they get the stuff online, as long as they get it.
Thank you SFPL for providing access to your wonderful, wonderful resources. I already have an SFPL card (a "full service" card, thank you very much), but if I didn't, I'd be all over this offer.
January 7, 2009 | Permalink
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Comments
SFPL has stopped providing e-cards. Apparently the vendors didn't agree with SFPL's understanding of its licensing terms? Announcement on this page:
http://sfpl.lib.ca.us/sfplonline/dbcategories.htm
This is a big letdown for those of us eager to supplement our users' database collections. It would be interesting to hear SFPL's explanation of what happened.
Posted by: Jeff Karlsen | March11, 2009
we have been running something similar for a while using the Voyager self registration system -- the patron accounts go into our Windows Active directory which is then checked by our
1. ezproxy - which then provides access to databases
2. internet booking system
3. pay printing system
4. federated search engine for logging comments and tags
5. library system
we have also created a signup page which allows limited access to remote databases
Posted by: dave | January30, 2009
This is great to see. I am working on a similar concept here at Manukau. We want to enable our users who only want to use our computer and interent access to be able to have a membership without insisting they sign up for borrowing priviledges they don't want.
Corin Haines
Manager, Digital Services
Manukau Libraries
Posted by: Corin Haines | January18, 2009
But not all California libraries choose to offer cards to all California residents. There is a statewide agreement, but it is optional, not mandatory. Many smaller libraries do not participate.
Posted by: Sarah Houghton-Jan (LiB) | January14, 2009
In providing library cards and services to non-residents SFPL is merely complying with provisions of the California Library Services Act. This is nothing new and startling. It has been around since the late 70's.
Gerry Maginnity
California State Library
Posted by: Gerry Maginnity | January 9, 2009
This is terrific! Boston Public Library has been doing this for a few years. When I saw your blog post, I immediately signed up! It will be nice to enhance my research.
Posted by: Karen Rutherford | January 8, 2009
Ditto, Lauren.
Posted by: Aaron | January 7, 2009
Sacramento Public Library launched an identical product in September of 2007. It has been extremely popular even though we don't have quite the collection of databases that SFPL offers. In fact, providing database access wasn't even the primary reason for our implementing the eCard; we were focused on providing in-house Internet access to customers who did not want a "real" library card. The access to our databases is just a side bonus for those who care to take advantage.
Posted by: Chris | January 7, 2009
I would love to know how:
1. They got the database vendors to agree?
2. Do they do any checking at all on the ecards to verify patron information before granting access?
Posted by: Lauren | January 7, 2009
