Effective Monday, November 02, 2009, patrons of all SELCO Online Libraries will have the option of paying Horizon fines and fees online with any major credit card. This service, which was introduced in May 2009 as part of the Chatfield Brass Band Music Lending Library (CBBMLL) LSTA project, will be made available to all Online Libraries. Those who closely follow the SELCO Users Group may recall that this was planned as an optional Value-Added Service. The logistical complications of allowing some libraries to use E-Commerce while others do not proved enough of a challenge that the Value-Added Service concept was scrapped. Instead, E-Commerce will be part of the Basic Service package with no additional Automation Fee. A few details:
Who will be able to use this service: All patrons in the Horzon Integrated Library System (ILS) who have a major credit card and access to an internet-connected PC.
What fines and fees can be paid: Any fine or fee created in Horizon can be paid online.
Where do patrons go to pay fines and fees: The "My Account" tab in the iPac web-based catalog will feature a link entitled "Pay Fees and Fines" on the tab bar, along with links to view Requests, Checkouts, etc. You can see this feature now by choosing Chatfield Brass Band Music Lending Library in the dropdown menu on the SELCO Catalog page of this website. Clicking the "Pay Fees and Fines" link will take the patron to a payment page, where he/she will be required to log in with a library card number and PIN. After logging in, the patron's fines and fees will be listed along with the fields for the Credit Card, Credit Card number, and Credit Card expiration date.
When can patrons pay fines and fees online: 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
Why might patrons be interested in paying online: Online payment is convienient and fast. Patrons can access the E-Commerce page from anywhere they have internet access.
Some Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. What credit cards can be used to pay fines and fees?
A. Visa and MasterCard
Q. When a patron pays their fines and fees, where does the money go?
A. It depends on the Fee Type. For payments related to lost, damaged, or overdue items, the funds go to the Online Library that owns the item. For payments related to fees, such as lost card or photocopy fees, the funds go to the Online Library that created the fee in Horizon.
Q. What do the Online Libraries have to do to get their funds?
A. We will need each Online Library to inform SELCO whether they wish to receive funds by check or have funds held on account at SELCO. That's it--all other work associated with disbursing funds to the Online Libraries will be carried out by SELCO staff. Funds will be disbursed quarterly.
Q. Are there really no fees associated with this service?
A. SELCO is making E-Commerce part of its Basic Service package so there are no additional Automation Fees. Credit Card companies charge a transaction fee which will be taken from the payments before the funds get to SELCO for disbursement. SELCO has no control over these fees, which seem to average between 5% and 10% of the revenues.
Q. Is this safe?
A. The EnvisionWare E-Commerce software uses SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption for the connection between the patron's web browser and the payment server. This is the same security used for online banking and online merchants such as Amazon.com.
Q. Will the Online Libraries be trained to use E-Commerce?
A. An ILS Bulletin, complete with screen shots will be sent out about 2 weeks before the service goes live with complete details on how patrons use the software to make payments. An orientation video is in development and will be released at about the same time. Promotional materials to help Online Libraries publicize the new service are also in development. Samples will be made available at the October 13, 2009 SELCO Advisory Committee meeting.
