One Little Mark Means a Lot to Us!
Did you ever have something that you created or shared that was so unique and special that you wished you could leave your mark on it? After years in business, we finally got down to it and now have trademarks on Quipu®, PITS® and "Library focused. Library approved.®" Now this may not seem like a big deal to you, or maybe you're thinking, why didn't they do this sooner? Well, if you've never tried to trademark something, we can attest to the fact that there are loads of (digital) paperwork and lawyers involved, and money. And honestly, we've just been focused on you, our customers, and it didn't seem that important until it did... and we had to protect our work. Happily, that's not the only thing we've been working on. Read on to hear more about eRENEW and Online Identity Checking, rolling out very soon! - Melissa, Scott and Robert
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eRENEW and Online Identity Checking Join the Family
One thing we pride ourselves on here at Quipu Group is great relationships with our customers. Our libraries kept telling us that they needed additional help with identity confirmation, and gee, wouldn't it be nice if patrons could renew their own library cards? Enter Online Identity Checking and eRENEW.
Currently in beta at Virginia Beach Public Library, VA, Online Identity Checking allows for a second level of verification called KBA, Knowledge-based authentication. This is a step beyond basic identity verification to prove that the person providing the identity information truly is that person. As its name suggests, KBA is based on some sort of knowledge the individual has, such as a previous address or model of car. This can greatly reduce the number of false accounts in a library's patron database. We hope to have more news about Online Identity Checking in the next few months!
eRENEW is currently in alpha testing at Santa Clara County Library, CA (Horizon), and in beta at Hamilton Public Library, ON (Polaris) and London Public Library, ON (Sierra). As the name implies, eRENEW will allow patrons to renew existing library cards online without staff assistance. This potentially can save staff time and empower patrons to manage their own library accounts privately. Watch for an update soon.
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ePASS Customer List Continues to Grow
We are delighted to be adding two new library systems to our ePASS customer list. Very soon, San Diego Public Library, CA, customers will be able to participate in Discover & Go, a service offered by many California libraries which offers free and low-cost passes for museums, science centers, zoos, theatres, and other cultural destinations. Kent District Library, OH, will be launching their own ePASS offerings in July. As cultural institutions and events are opening up post-pandemic, this service gives library patrons an opportunity to explore their own towns and cities and revisit places they missed seeing over the last year or more.
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With IUG, COSUGI and Evergreen spring conferences in the rearview mirror, we're looking forward to the possibility of some, as the kids say, IRL (in real life) meetings later this summer and fall! If you are planning to attend a state library conference, or national event like Internet Librarian, let us know. We're always evaluating where best to meet and serve libraries, and your input is valuable. Drop us a line, okay? |
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We Already Knew Libraries Are Cool...
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The Pacific Northwest has been slammed with record-breaking (and breathtaking!) high temperatures, and of course, public libraries are jumping into action to provide refuge from the heat. In the Portland area, five Multnomah County library branches were kept open, and in Seattle, more branches added open hours to provide additional shelter.
This 2019 article provides great insights on cooling centers, and how Phoenix Public Library is part of a complex social support system for the most marginalized populations who are in most need of these services. If you have a story to tell about your library providing shelter (warm or cold!), we'd love to hear it! And thank you.
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