24 · SPEC Kit 296
Patron Registration
5. Special Collections patrons are typically required to register before using items from the
collection. Are patrons of your Special Collections department/unit/library required to complete
a registration form prior to receiving reference service or only prior to using materials in the
collection? N=79
Registration required:
N
On-site Patrons
N=76
Off-site Patrons
N=65
Yes No Yes No
Prior to receiving reference service 71 30 41 2 58
Prior to using materials 76 76 — 26 36
Do not require registration 9 3 9
Selected Comments from Respondents
“Although we tend to have our on-site researchers register as soon as they enter the research room, it is not
required that they register prior to receiving reference service. We try to register our off-site patrons, but we
are not consistent in this.”
“Depends on the type of ‘reference service,’ of course. Registration may be required or may not for on-site
patrons. I’m not sure how an off-site patron can meaningfully register.”
“Except for digital collections our collections are never used off-site.”
“For off-site patrons, patrons don’t fill out a form, but staff do ask for the information and record it in an
Access database.”
“For telephone and e-mail reference and access requests, staff complete the form. If a patron is a walk-in,
he/she completes the form.”
“Interview patrons first to determine whether they need Special Collections materials before troubling them to
register.”
“Many visitors receive preliminary reference service before full registration to determine whether they need to
use departmental holdings or whether they will need to use other library resources.”
“Not a formal registration form but more of a sign-in registry log.”
“Off-site patrons are e-mail, phone, fax. Do not register but sent indemnification form with materials.”
“Off-site patrons are required to complete a ‘Request for Duplication’ form.”
“Off-site patrons are required to sign a ‘Notification to Publish’ form and fill out a ‘Service Request’ form but
not register.”
“Off-site patrons have access to our catalog and most of our finding aids. They can request reference service
and, as appropriate, they can request copies or scans of material.”
Patron Registration
5. Special Collections patrons are typically required to register before using items from the
collection. Are patrons of your Special Collections department/unit/library required to complete
a registration form prior to receiving reference service or only prior to using materials in the
collection? N=79
Registration required:
N
On-site Patrons
N=76
Off-site Patrons
N=65
Yes No Yes No
Prior to receiving reference service 71 30 41 2 58
Prior to using materials 76 76 — 26 36
Do not require registration 9 3 9
Selected Comments from Respondents
“Although we tend to have our on-site researchers register as soon as they enter the research room, it is not
required that they register prior to receiving reference service. We try to register our off-site patrons, but we
are not consistent in this.”
“Depends on the type of ‘reference service,’ of course. Registration may be required or may not for on-site
patrons. I’m not sure how an off-site patron can meaningfully register.”
“Except for digital collections our collections are never used off-site.”
“For off-site patrons, patrons don’t fill out a form, but staff do ask for the information and record it in an
Access database.”
“For telephone and e-mail reference and access requests, staff complete the form. If a patron is a walk-in,
he/she completes the form.”
“Interview patrons first to determine whether they need Special Collections materials before troubling them to
register.”
“Many visitors receive preliminary reference service before full registration to determine whether they need to
use departmental holdings or whether they will need to use other library resources.”
“Not a formal registration form but more of a sign-in registry log.”
“Off-site patrons are e-mail, phone, fax. Do not register but sent indemnification form with materials.”
“Off-site patrons are required to complete a ‘Request for Duplication’ form.”
“Off-site patrons are required to sign a ‘Notification to Publish’ form and fill out a ‘Service Request’ form but
not register.”
“Off-site patrons have access to our catalog and most of our finding aids. They can request reference service
and, as appropriate, they can request copies or scans of material.”
