Questions regarding caregivers

[Gregory Roes]

Hi folks,

I have a few questions about caregivers and the cared for patron with them.  Please assume in these questions that the caregiver is not the legal guardian of the patron being cared for.

1. Do you allow the caregiver to pick up holds and check materials out for the patron they provide care for?   Assume that the library card is not present (we presume that presence of a library card implies consent).
2. May the caregiver modify and/or update the account?
3. What, if any, differences exist if the patron is an adult (18+) with a caregiver?
4. How is the caregiver relationship documented?

Thanks in advance!  

Greg Roes

Circulation Services Coordinator

Pikes Peak Library District

Notice of Confidentiality: This message is private and confidential and is intended for the addressee only. If you received this message in error, please contact the sender immediately and destroy all copies of this transmission. Any copying, re-translation, distribution, disclosure or other use of this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited.

[Jennifer Hoffman]

We don't really have a specific process for adults with caregivers at DPL.

We offer some options like 

Our Multiple User Card

Linking the adult's card in our Library App 

or, 

Having them sign up for Home Delivery program with the caregiver as their designated volunteer. 

Jennifer Hoffman (she/her)  Interim Central Library Director Manager of Books & Borrowing 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway, 80204 720.865.2034 jhof...@denverlibrary.org denverlibrary.org

--

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "CLCN Colorado Circulation Supervisors Network" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to clcn+uns...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/clcn/DM6PR17MB32263C04C2FB609FDB52B508CAE7A%40DM6PR17MB3226.namprd17.prod.outlook.com.

[Cindy Martin]

We don't have a separate process for this either.  This is treated the same as any patron asking for service on another patron’s account but doesn’t have the card.  That is:

We can look up a patron record, with verbal verification of address and phone number.

We can provide all Circulation functions, except for title information and the checkout of materials (except for held items – see below).

We can allow pickup and checkout of held material if no “deny pickup” is in record – the person picking up must have their own card or ID and live at the same address. 

1. 
   

If there is a message in the patron's record allowing a specific person to pick up a hold for them, we allow that person to pick up holds for them, even if it is not a family member at the same address.

Can search and place ALD holds.

CINDY MARTIN

Coordinator of Lending Services

CLCN Chair

A R A P A H O E L I B R A R I E S

Pronouns: She, her, hers 

303-542-7279 x12715

cma...@arapahoelibraries.org

 

 

---

From: 'Jennifer Hoffman' via CLCN Colorado Circulation Supervisors Network <cl...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 2, 2025 4:29 PM
To: cl...@googlegroups.com <cl...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Questions regarding caregivers

 

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/clcn/CABvWADY2J_sXY_FYBroAiJtNLneq3bBPsaEfWHTQpq3MCWnRnw%40mail.gmail.com.

[Tim McClelland]

Hi Greg-

 

At Boulder, we require anyone, caregiver or otherwise, to have the library card, know the number, or have permission listed on the account to access or change any info in the account. This has been a challenge with various groups over the years. Some of our groups with caregivers carry the keychain library cards for the group together so they always have access when they visit. We don’t coordinate that as the library, but suggest it as an option.

 

Best,

 

Tim McClelland

Public Services Department Manager

 

Pronouns: he/him

O: 983-888-0554

mccle...@boulderlibrary.org

 

Boulder Public Library District

1001 Arapahoe Ave | Boulder, CO 80302

www.boulderlibrary.org

 

 

 

From: 'Cindy Martin' via CLCN Colorado Circulation Supervisors Network <cl...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Friday, October 3, 2025 10:11 AM
To: cl...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Questions regarding caregivers

 

We don't have a separate process for this either.  This is treated the same as any patron asking for service on another patron’s account but doesn’t have the card.  That is:

 

We can look up a patron record, with verbal verification of address and phone number.

 

We can provide all Circulation functions, except for title information and the checkout of materials (except for held items – see below).

 

We can allow pickup and checkout of held material if no “deny pickup” is in record – the person picking up must have their own card or ID and live at the same address. 

1.        

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/clcn/PH7PR06MB93651D07861143F5FC29AAC7BEE4A%40PH7PR06MB9365.namprd06.prod.outlook.com.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this communication from the sender is confidential. It is intended solely for use by the recipient and others authorized to receive it. If you are not the recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking action in relation of the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful.

This email has been scanned for viruses and malware, and may have been automatically archived by Mimecast, a leader in email security and cyber resilience. Mimecast integrates email defenses with brand protection, security awareness training, web security, compliance and other essential capabilities. Mimecast helps protect large and small organizations from malicious activity, human error and technology failure; and to lead the movement toward building a more resilient world. To find out more, visit our website.

[Meg Albee]

Hi Greg!

Similar to ALD and Boulder, we require caregivers to have the card/account number and password for the individual they are assisting for circulation functions. Our new app allows individuals to easily link/store card information for multiple accounts in one place which makes sharing this information easier.  

We do have a Home Delivery volunteer program for homebound customers which works a bit differently - we have a special "Home Delivery" patron code for customers enrolled in the program, and their volunteer's information is listed on their account. The volunteers should have all necessary account/card information for their customers but because they're listed on the customer's account, we can also verify with their personal information if we need to. I also believe that most of our Home Delivery volunteers are also DPL staff. 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/clcn/SJ4PPF67562E58A43F0A48AD28E264D79CBCDE4A%40SJ4PPF67562E58A.namprd18.prod.outlook.com.

[Linda Wisneski]

Hi Greg,

Similar to others, the account holder can give permission to anyone to pick up their holds. We simply note the name of the person(s) who can pick up items. The individual just needs to show their photo ID to verify if on the account holder's account. They cannot get any other information about the account and cannot check out on the account without the holder's card. They can place holds on the account though.

We also have a house calls program for those needing help.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/clcn/CABMg2osGZW0LYy0Zc3uS6kK4NdtN%3Dp1AcUoYqZrzKCBTuyASFA%40mail.gmail.com.

--

Linda Wisneski

Patron Experience Supervisor

970-586-8116 x816 
PO Box 1687 / 335 E. Elkhorn Avenue
Estes Park, CO 80517

[sharo...@pueblolibrary.org]

Hi Greg!

Here in Pueblo, we have had many issues with caregivers having access to accounts in the past and using that access to fraudulently use/abuse materials and services. I’m sure this isn’t an us only issue, but it has caused us to be very strict in how we respond to caregivers who aren’t legal guardians. 

Since we use KOHA here we have an option for a guarantee/guarantor function on accounts which allows us to immediately see who is what, so that’s nice. For caregivers, much like my Boulder colleagues, it’s exactly the same as any other card holder. You need to have the card or know the info. With children, we can, on a case by case basis, verify date of birth, or phone number, or address to allow for some limited check outs. The problem with that being that our caregivers do not always communicate with parents or guardians about checkouts and things get lost and charged and end up in collections, and there we are.

We do have a workaround with kids are we have ConnectEd cards with our school districts so every school aged child had a library card with their school id. That’s very helpful and allows kids to leave with books, which is the whole point. 

For adults, we have the library to you programs others have mentioned to help. 

Sharon

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 5, 2025, at 12:37 PM, Linda Wisneski <lwis...@estesvalleylibrary.org> wrote:



Hi Greg,

Similar to others, the account holder can give permission to anyone to pick up their holds. We simply note the name of the person(s) who can pick up items. The individual just needs to show their photo ID to verify if on the account holder's account. They cannot get any other information about the account and cannot check out on the account without the holder's card. They can place holds on the account though.

We also have a house calls program for those needing help.

On Fri, Oct 3, 2025 at 1:17 PM 'Meg Albee' via CLCN Colorado Circulation Supervisors Network <cl...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Hi Greg!

Similar to ALD and Boulder, we require caregivers to have the card/account number and password for the individual they are assisting for circulation functions. Our new app allows individuals to easily link/store card information for multiple accounts in one place which makes sharing this information easier.  

We do have a Home Delivery volunteer program for homebound customers which works a bit differently - we have a special "Home Delivery" patron code for customers enrolled in the program, and their volunteer's information is listed on their account. The volunteers should have all necessary account/card information for their customers but because they're listed on the customer's account, we can also verify with their personal information if we need to. I also believe that most of our Home Delivery volunteers are also DPL staff. 

On Fri, Oct 3, 2025 at 10:56 AM 'Tim McClelland' via CLCN Colorado Circulation Supervisors Network <cl...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Hi Greg-

 

At Boulder, we require anyone, caregiver or otherwise, to have the library card, know the number, or have permission listed on the account to access or change any info in the account. This has been a challenge with various groups over the years. Some of our groups with caregivers carry the keychain library cards for the group together so they always have access when they visit. We don’t coordinate that as the library, but suggest it as an option.

 

Best,

 

Tim McClelland

Public Services Department Manager

 

Pronouns: he/him

<image001.jpg>

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/clcn/CAA_OVNdsBNKxeCUGJbguOt_iDQmHixSN29q61caV9WgHVNJ4Cg%40mail.gmail.com.