Setting up patron clubs in Koha

Setting Up Patron Clubs in Koha

In this Koha Tutorial we will show you the new feature in Koha for Patron Clubs. This features adds the ability to create clubs in which patrons can enroll. It is particularly useful for tracking summer reading programs, book clubs, etc.

Permissions

Ensure your staff user has the ‘Patron clubs’ permissions
  1. Go to your staff members account tab and click on the More drop down menu
  2. Select Set Permissions and make sure patron clubs have checkmarks next to each of the functions you want your staff to have. Remember if your staff is a superlibrarian, they will have the permission.


Patron Club Templates

  1. Under the tools menu, click the “Patron clubs” link
  2. Create a new club template
    1. Name is required. This could be something like Adult Book Club, Children’s Book Club or Summer Reading Program. Remember these templates will be starting point for each club you create.
    2. Description can be any additional information
    3. Allow Public Enrollment: if this box is checked it will allow patrons to enroll in a club based on this template from the OPAC
    4. Require valid email address: if this box is checked only patrons with a valid email address can enroll.
    5. The library drop down gives the flexibility to enroll patrons from specific branches. If set to blank, all branches will be able to enroll.
    6. Club Fields: these fields will be used when creating a club based on this template
      1. These fields can be connected to authorized values.
    7. Enrollment Fields: add any additional fields you want to have filled out by your patrons.
      1. These fields can be connected to authorized values.

Summer Reading Example




Create a Patron Club

Next, create a new club based on the newly created template.



  1. Name Again is required, this will be the name of the specific club being created.
  2. Description – any additional information
  3. Start and End date for when this club runs. Once the club expires, it will be removed from the OPAC for users to enroll.
  4. The library drop down gives you the flexibility to enroll patrons from specific branches. If set to blank, all branches will be able to enroll.

Enroll Patrons

  1. Pull up a patron account
  2. Notice the tab for club, click on that tab
  3. Add the patron to the selected club by selecting the enroll button
  4. Enrollments can be cancelled by clicking on the cancel enrollment


Placing Holds for Patron Clubs

The manual discusses how to place holds for patron clubs.


Patron Clubs in the OPAC

Login to the OPAC as a patron
  1. On the “your summary” tab
  2. Notice the tab for club, click on that tab
  3. The patron can be added to the selected club by selecting the enroll button
  4. Cancel enrollment by clicking on the cancel enrollment


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