V-ASC Guest Codes, a standard feature of V-ASC Authentication Software can provide a low-cost time management and reservation solution for libraries without access to ILS-based authentication. This may be a result of the current ILS not conforming to industry-standard patron identification protocol or lack of budget to subscribe to the required services.
Using Guest Codes with V-ASC Authentication
In most libraries that provide Internet access, it’s not uncommon to have long waiting lines to use the available workstations. Managing these waiting lines in an equitable manner and preventing disagreement or controversy between patrons can consume a lot of time and lead to complaints from unhappy patrons. The Guest Code feature of V-ASC can alleviate these problems while also providing session time control. Following is an overview of how this works for the standard V-ASC Solution in a typical library:
2. Staff gives patron a use-once Guest Code slip/card.
1. Patron who wants to use Internet workstations goes to Staff Desk.
3. Patron goes to a vacant workstation.
4. Patron enters “Guest” as Barcode: and the Guest Code from the guest-code slip/card as the PIN:.
5. Patron is authorized for session; length of current session time is displayed on the screen.
NOTE: Session time determined by library policy.
6. All other aspects of V-ASC are the same as when used with library card authentication.
Using Guest Codes with V-ASC-RES Authentication with Reservations
V-ASC-RES option adds self-service reservation queuing. Patrons can go directly to vacant workstations as described above when workstations are available. At other times when all workstations are in use, patron signs up at the Reservation Kiosk and is added to the reservation queue. When a workstation becomes available, patron is directed to the available workstation where they sign in to claim their reservation. Following is an overview of how this works for the optional V-ASC-RES Solution in a typical library:
1. Patron who wants to use Internet workstations goes to Staff Desk.
1. Staff gives patron a one-use Guest Code slip/card.
2a. If workstations are vacant and there is no one in the reservation queue, patron goes to a vacant workstation.
2b. If all workstations are in use, patron goes to the Reservation Kiosk and signs in using “Guest” in Barcode: box and the Guest Code from guest-code slip/card in the PIN: box: patron is authorized and is added to the reservation queue. Patron will be notified on the Reservation Kiosk screen identified by the Guest Code number when a workstation is available.
3. At the workstation, patron enters “Guest” in Barcode: box and the Guest Code from guest-code slip/card in the PIN: box.
4. Patron is authorized for session; current session time is displayed on the screen
NOTE: Session time determined by library policy.
5. All other aspects of V-ASC-RES are the same as when used with library-card authentication.
Other Uses for Guest Codes
Guest codes can be used along with library-card authentication based on an ILS database. In this mode, it offers:
• Convenient way to allow library visitors to use an authenticated system
• Accommodate patrons who lose or forget their library card.
The Guest Code feature is also compatible with optional advanced features of V-ASC:
V-ASC-ATE – There is no change in operation when used with V-ASC-ATE Option. If no other patrons are waiting for a terminal (or no other reservations in the reservation queue), session time is automatically extended.
V-ASC-FR – Operation with V-ASC-FR Option is basically unchanged except that staff would assign a guest code from a guest-code card/slip when patron requests a future session and put that guest-code card/slip aside. When patron comes to the library to claim the advance reservation, they would go to the Staff Desk and pick up the assigned guest-code card/slip. Their assigned workstation will be displayed on the Reservation Kiosk screen.
Generating Guest Codes
1. Authorized Staff opens the V-ASC Staff Station Management Screen.
Guest codes can be easily generated at the Staff Station:
2. Staff clicks on “Make 100 Guest Codes” box.
3. A list of 100 unique guest codes is generated.
4. Guest code list can be printed to a basic printout format and cut to size for use.
5. An optional deluxe Guest Code template is available for use with Microsoft Word Mail Merge to print guest-code cards/slips with your library logo and simple instructions for card use.
5. All other aspects of V-ASC-RES are the same as when used with library-card authentication.
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