Student Training: Community Patron Info

I like to think of Community Patrons as anybody who uses our stuff and is not a current student or faculty/staff person. This includes people who sign up for a Courtesy Borrower card (which you do in Alma) and folks who only want computer access (which you do in Pharos).

When a Community Patron wants to sign up for our services, one of the first questions to ask is if they would like to be able to only check things out, only get on the computers, or do both.

Both the Community Borrower form and the Pharos cards are located in the middle drawer on each side of the desk.

Important!

To get a Courtesy Borrower card the patron must be at least 16 years old, present a current/valid photo ID AND a proof of current address.

Acceptable forms for proof of address:

(Must have one of these AND a current/valid photo ID at the time of sign up)

• Vehicle insurance or registration card
• Voter registration card
• Current utility or telephone bill
• Checking or savings account statement
• Current tax statement
• Rental receipt, lease or deed
• Checkbook with printed name and address
• Recently postmarked item of mail
• Valid fishing license with current address
• Valid hunting license with current address

• To be eligible, the person's address must be in Yellowstone County or one of the surrounding counties (Stillwater, Golden Valley, Rosebud, Treasure, Big Horn, Carbon)
• If the applicant is under 18, their parent/guardian MUST sign the application form in the presence of library staff.
• Library staff will enter the patron's information in Alma under "Register New User".
• Library staff will prepare a courtesy borrower card with the patron's name printed on the front with the date, the patron's signature & a patron barcode placed on the back prior to laminating the card.
• If the patron chooses, they may select a password for online account access - staff will also enter this into the appropriate field in Alma.
• The patron will be given this courtesy borrower card; with the card the patron can check out 5 (five) books OR government documents for 3 weeks.
• The courtesy borrower account will expire in the system after one year. When a new user is registered, the expiration date will default itself to one year from creation. After the account has expired, it can be renewed after the patron's current address is verified (and updated in the system if necessary).

If a community borrower wants to use the WiFi on their personal device they will need to use MSUB Guest because they will not have a NetID. Unfortunately this also means they are unable to print wirelessly from their own devices.

In order for them to print using our computers they will need to purchase a print card. The card costs $1 and money can be loaded after the card is purchased. Once they purchase the card, you will need to register it to their username on the PaperCut software. This must be done on the circ comp with the card swipe device. 

Reminder: the print card machine DOES NOT GIVE CHANGE. The business office owns the machine, we simply house it so we cannot give refunds or open it. If there are any money issues have Chandra or a full time staff person contact the business office.

Once their print card is loaded with money & registered to their account, they can swipe it at the printer.

Reminder: community borrowers can only print & use the computers on the 2nd floor.