Relationships
The Relationships page in My account allows library customers to set authorizations for themselves and others, such as family members. With a 'Relationship', an authorized person can renew items, pay fines, edit account details and/or change notification preferences for others without having to log in to each account.
Relationships and functions can be set in the OPAC or by staff using the Wise Client via the Properties tab in Customer Administration.
Authorizations are not automatically reciprocal. A customer can request authorization to perform functions for another user, but the other user will not automatically be able to perform those same functions even if they approve the first customer's request. The second customer will need to request that authorization in turn (or ask to first customer to request to give that authorization to them).
View authorizations
Authorizations already in place for the customer's membership or authorizations that have been requested can be viewed from this page. Any users authorized for the customer's membership as well as any memberships that the customer has been authorized are listed. The following information is available for each:
| Field | Descriptions |
|---|---|
| Person | The person authorized for the customer's membership, or the person the customer has been authorized for. |
| Function |
The function for which the permission is set:
For more information, see Functions below. |
| Status | The status of the relationship authorization. For more information, see Status below. |
| Action |
The action(s) that can be performed for this permission:
|
Status
There are several different statuses that can apply to a relationship authorization:
| Status | Explanation | Action that can be taken |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed | The relationship authorization is approved and active. The authorized customer may perform the function(s) set for the authorization. | Delete |
| Needs confirmation by you |
Another user has done something that you (the customer) needs to confirm. This status appears when:
|
Confirm Delete |
| Needs confirmation by other party |
The authorization has not been approved by the other customer yet. This status appears when:
While requests are in this status, the authorization can still be withdrawn using the Cancel action. |
Cancel |
| Cancellation must be confirmed by the other person |
This means that you (the customer) are trying to delete a permission that has been previously confirmed via the 'Delete' button. It means that you no longer want someone else to perform functions for you, or that you do not want to perform more functions for another customer. The other person still needs to confirm the deletion of the permission. As long as the deletion has not yet been confirmed by the other person, you can still choose to cancel the deletion. |
Confirm |
| Cancellation must be confirmed by me | This means that the second customer is trying to delete an authorization, and the other customer does not want you to perform functions for them anymore, or that the second customer does not want to perform more functions for you. You need to confirm the deletion of the authorization. | Cancel |
Functions
The following functions are can be approved when setting up a relationship:
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
|
May renew |
Materials can be renewed for the other user via My account > My checkouts. Tabs will be present for the customer as well as any other customers that they are authorized to renew items for. Items can only be renewed per tab. If an item cannot be renewed, a notification will appear on screen. Any fines associated with the renewal will be applied to the customer that checked the item(s) out. Note: If a customer is attempting to renew for another customer but has an account that has been blocked due to outstanding fines they will not be able to renewal items for the second customer. |
|
May pay |
When viewing My account > Make a payment the authorized customer will be able to view their own outstanding fines as well as any fines for the users they have a relationship set for with the May pay function. The authorized customer is also permitted to pay fines and fees for the second customer. Payments are recorded with the account that the fine originated with, and not the authorized user that made the payment. |
|
Edit patron data |
When this function is assigned, an authorized user will be able to view their own data as well as that of the second user in My account > My account details. Each customer's data will appear in its own tab, and the authorized user will be able to modify the following information:
Note: It is not possible to modify memberships and bank account information for other customers. |
|
Edit communication preferences |
With this function, it is possible to view and edit the notification preferences via My account > Notification preferences. Tabs will be present for the customer as well as any other customers that they are authorized to modify notification preferences and newsletter settings for. Note: This function will not allow a customer to modify the Areas of interest for another customer. |
Add a new relationship
At the bottom of the Relationships page is a form that can be used to add new relationships. The following information must be filled out:
| Field | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Library card number | Enter the card number of the person that you want to establish a relationship with. If the card number and the date of birth do not match, the relationship cannot be added. |
| Date of birth |
Enter the date of birth for the other customer in mm/dd//yyyy format. If the card number and the date of birth do not match, the relationship cannot be added. Note: If the other account belongs to an institution, a date of birth is still required. A fictitious date of birth will need to be added for the institution account in the Client. Alternatively, the relationship can be set up by staff directly in the Client without the need for a date of birth. |
| Type of relation |
Choose the desired relationship:
|
| Type of function | The function allowed for this relationship. See Functions above for more information. |
Confirm the request by clicking Add Relationship. The next screen will confirm that the authorization has been requested.