San José Libraries Now Accepting Library
Card
Applications and Fine Payments Online
July 15, 2005 -
Months of preparations came to fruition late last month when
San José library officials tripped the switch that allowed
potential library users to initiate the process of applying for
a library card online. Web visitors log on to SJLibrary.org, then:
1. click on “Library Catalog”
2. click on “Apply
for a Library Card Online”
3. select the appropriate form (Adult, Youth under 18, SJSU
Faculty or Staff)
4. complete the electronic form
5. read the Borrower’s Agreement, click on the check box
to accept and print if desired
6. click on Submit
New card applicants must bring required identification to the
Accounts Desk at any San José Library within 30 days to
pick up their library card. Youth under 18 must be accompanied
by a parent or legal guardian.
San José libraries also began accepting fine payments
online three weeks prior. By keeping the introduction low-key,
administrators were able to monitor the software to ensure smooth
transactions. To use this service from home or office, log on
to SJLibrary.org, then:
1. click on “My
Library Account”
2. enter your name, SJPL barcode or SJSU ID and your PIN, and
click on “Submit”
3. click on “Unpaid Fines and Bills” to view amounts
owed
4. click on “Pay Online”
5. to pay for selected items, click on “Clear All,”
then place a check next to desired items and click on “Recalculate
Total”
6. complete the credit/debit card information form, click “Submit”
7. review your transaction carefully, then click on “Submit”
8. OPTIONAL: Automated receipts will be sent to the email address
provided, but users may elect to click on the “Print”
button to obtain a receipt right away.
IMPORTANT: Users must pay the entire fee for any individual item
and there are no refunds. The system accepts all credit cards
and debit cards that bear the VISA or Master Card symbols.
“The ability to pay fines with credit or debit cards has
been a frequent request of library users,” says Trish Umali,
Acting Access Services Manager for San José Public Library.
“Given the high level of interest, we anticipated that our
patrons would have little difficulty finding and using the service.”
That has been the case for even with little fanfare, the new service
collected over $19,000 in the first three weeks of operation.
Users lacking remote access from home or office may still utilize
these functions using dedicated e-COMM stations located at all
branches of the San José Public Library, including the
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library.
Online library card applications and fine payment are the latest
in technological service enhancements that the library has introduced
over the past year. Enhancements have included downloadable digital
audio books, MP3 audio book CDs, creation of a multi-lingual library
catalog interface, and translation of key information on the library
website.
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