What's New

MAY 16, 2007

Inactive patron accounts deleted from JCPL system

To keep our records up-to-date, the Library recently removed accounts that haven't had library card activity in the past three years. This isn't an attempt to dissuade certain users - we want all of our patrons to always feel welcome. Periodically removing inactive records is necessary to keep JCPL in compliance with requirements from the State of Colorado.

What does this mean for patrons? Your library account is updated only when you check out materials; unfortunately, using your account to reserve a computer or access one of our online databases does not update your record. If you haven't checked out materials from the Library in the past three years, your account is classified inactive and has been removed from the system.

If your account has been deleted, a new card can be issued at any of JCPL's libraries - all you need is a photo ID. Take this opportunity to select one of JCPL's new library card designs. If you still have your old card and would like to keep the account number, bring the card and a photo ID to the Library and it will be reactivated.

This can be avoided in the future by checking out materials from the Library at least once a year.

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Comments

Casey said, on May. 28 at 8:07AM
This is completely dumb! I use the library databases all the time for school, but don't check out any books - and now I will have to get a new library card! I can't believe that the library's computer system doesn't keep track of when I use the databases - it asks for the card number every time! Geez, get into the 21st century ... I think the way to avoid this in the future is by getting your library computer system improved, not by forcing us to check out materials from the library once a year.

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Sabrina said, on May. 29 at 1:37PM
We apologize for the inconvenience of having to get a new library card when, in fact, you regularly use our online services. The Library uses an outside catalog software vendor, as library catalog software is very specialized. Based on what we hear from other libraries, I can tell you that the software used by JCPL is more advanced than most. However, we agree with the sentiments you shared in response to our blog posting. There ought to be a way to validate your patron record when you use our online services. Recently, JCPL formally requested that the vendor develop enhancements that will recognize patron use of our databases and other web-based library services so we can avoid unnecessary account deletions in the future. We have not yet heard if this is possible or not, but will continue to pursue the issue. As an aside, any fines associated with the deletion of these very old records have also been deleted.