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G2S Project Code: 2016-IN-77252
State: Indiana
Fiscal Year: 2016
Grantee
INDIANAPOLIS-MARION COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Debra Champ
Director Phone: (317) 275-4910
Director Email: dchamp@indypl.org
General Information
Title: Online Library Card Registration
State Project Code: T16-1-1(12)
Start Date: 08/05/2016
End Date: 04/30/2017
Abstract: IndyPL (Indianapolis Marion County Public Library) was able to provide a way for adult patrons to create a real library card account without having to visit the library to prove residency. They developed a website that securely issues library card accounts in real time, after validating residency via Google Maps, checking that the applicant does not already have a card account, and verifying the applicant’s identification by means of telephone records. Busy or homebound patrons can now check out electronic/digital items without having to visit a physical branch.
State Goal: Information Access
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$10,000.00
$69,060.00
$0.00
$79,060.00
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.
Systems & Technologies
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Creating a website to allow online card registration
Narrative: Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library hired Sondhi Solutions, a local technology consulting resource management firm, to work with them in developing a website that allows patrons to create a real library card account entirely online. The major barriers to the effort included finding a reliable method of validating addresses, as well as verifying that they did not already have an account with IMCPL. Providing the patron was an adult who met the requirements, s/he can create a real-time account, have immediate access to digital materials, and function entirely like any physical library card.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Digital


Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 0
Number of software acquired: 1
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 0
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: INDIANAPOLIS-MARION COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 2450 NORTH MERIDIAN STREET
City: INDIANAPOLIS
State: IN
Zip: 46206
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Between the launch of the website application on April 28th and May 25th, 130 library card holders have been created, with 32 percent immediately borrowing digital materials. The system has so far proven to be accurate in identifying non-residents and duplicate library card holds. The number of library card accounts issued online in May 2017 surpassed the activity of 15 of the 23 branch locations.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The immediate public use of the online card registration website suggests that allowing the homebound adult, or a person too busy to visit a library location a way to create a card online eliminates a barrier to public library use. IMCPL research indicated that prior to the grant period, there was no other public library that had found a way to issue these full-access, virtual library cards; their success may serve as a template for other libraries to follow.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Finding partners in the digital age willing to share information proved difficult. The bulk of the time IMCPL spent over the past year on the project - and the major reason for delays - was due to the lack of willing partners to share PII (personally identifiable information) with the library.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
Yes
Explain:
IMCPL hopes to expand the service beyond issuing library card accounts online to include online renewals. Many patrons complain about the current account renewal practice, which requires cardholders to visit a physical library once every three years to provide proof of residency. Allowing for digital renewal should satisfy the patrons who wish to renew their accounts without making the trip.
Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: Yes
Exemplary NarrativeIMCPL is one of the first, if not THE first, library to offer patrons the option of getting a real (non-restricted) library card account with immediate access to materials - entirely online.
Project Tags: digital library