As reported previously , SELCO is preparing to start offering E-Commerce services to Online Libraries on Monday, 11-02-2009. Patrons with a major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, and Discover) will be able to pay fees and fines online via any internet-connected PC. The original post included a number of frequently asked questions but the smart folks out in the region have come up with more. So here's Round Two:
Q. Is there a minimum payment?
A. No. Any fine or fee, no matter how small can be paid through the E-Commerce service.
Q. Can patrons make prepayments for future fines and fees?
A. No. Payments can only be made for fines and fees currently in Horizon.
Q. Can patrons make donations?
A. No. Payments can only be made for fines and fees currently in Horizon.
Q. Do patrons get a receipt after making a payment?
A. Yes. After the payment has been made, a receipt page comes up. Patrons may print or make a screenshot for his/her records.
Q. Can an Online Library use E-Commerce at the Circulation/Children's/Reference Desk?
A. Yes and No. The library may certainly offer patrons assistance with the payment page by running the credit card themselves. They would do so using the same interface as the patron, however, and would have to get the patron's library card number, PIN, and credit card information (number, type, and security number). It is not yet possible for the Online Library to set up a credit card swiper and take payments like a retail establishment. SELCO plans to add this functionality six months to one year after the service goes live in November 2009. Online Libraries will have to purchase hardware (i.e. the swipers) through SELCO in order to ensure compatibility with the software.
There are a few more questions that are a little more complex and require a bit of research on our part. We will post answers to those questions in the next few days. If you have sent us questions and don't see the answer here, just sit tight; we're working on finding you an answer. If you have new questions, email them to Donovan Lambright , Automation Librarian or simply attach a comment to this post.
