Patron Files - Mandatory and Non-Mandatory Fields - Backgrounder

A brief review of Mandatory and select Non-Mandatory Fields that might be considered for your patron file. Why choose certain elements? Consider the following:

How do you provide library access students and staff? Opt in? Or automatic to all students and staff?
How will your users will authenticate?
How will you update your patron information file?
How, and from where, do you want your users to access the library?
How you wish to notify your users when resources become available?
Mandatory fields can be configured. For more context go to the Overview of User Management, Managing User Identifiers and Ex Libris Knowledge Center, Managing Users.

Note: It was confirmed by Andrea Bainbridge (EXL) by email that a library Barcode, can be specified as primary ID. As long as the college student information system recognizes the barcode value as the primary ID, there should be no issues with the SIS integration. (And, there is no need to submit two fields with a duplicate value, or map the barcode field to more than one other Alma field.)

Patron File - Mandatory and Non-Mandatory Fields - Use Cases:

Mandatory patron fields include Primary ID, First Name, Last Name & Email address. The Primary ID must be a unique value. The SIS Match Identifier provides a mechanism for updating the patron file from the student and HR systems. Users with external authentication such as LDAP, SSO can use the library’s resources from off campus. With additional configuration, Community Users have the option of using a social login. Email, phone and address provide options for notifications, although libraries may need to consider institutional privacy rules. Statistical categories offer potential to enhance analytics. Expiry and purge dates allow for patron file clean up. See https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Alma/Product_Documentation/010Alma_Online_Help_(English)/080Analytics/Alma_Analytics_Subject_Areas/Users for a complete description of user fields.

Element	Use Cases	Mandatory?	Alma Field to Map Data	Description of Data

Element	Use Cases	Mandatory?	Alma Field to Map Data	Description of Data
Primary ID	Mandatory for physical circulation: loans, bookings, holds, reserves, fines, fees, blocks.	Mandatory. Choose an ID that is unique within your institution. According to Users in Alma: “All users in Alma have a primary identifier, which is part of the core user information. They may also have additional identifiers (for example, a student ID, barcode, and so forth.”	UNIV ID or P BARCODE	TBD
Email address	Notify patrons using automated messages when requested items become available, items are overdue or if fines owed.	Mandatory	EMAIL	Institutional email is preferred for staff and students.
First Name	Core information	Mandatory	FIRST_NAME	Patron’s first name.
Last Name	Core information	Mandatory	LAST_NAME	Patron’s last name.
SIS match identifier	Necessary for synchronization with SIS; keeps your patron file up-to-date Export fines/fees/blocks to Bursar system;	This 3rd party integration allows Alma to retrieve relevant user information from the SIS, such as user names, passwords, and user identifiers.	UNIV ID	TBD
External authentication	Example: LDAP, Single sign on. Provides access to electronic resources via Primo VE from both on and off campus; User may use Primo VE to create bookings/holds/requests, etc., patrons store search results, history & favourites.	Must exist for all relevant users.	UNIV ID	If your SSO identity is used for SIS match, this field does not need to be duplicated.
Phone number	SMS notification Occasionally used to communicate with patrons.	Subject to institutional privacy rules.	PHONE	If using for SMS notifications, mobile phone number is required. If using for communication purposes, libraries can work with individual registrar to determine best option.
Address	Print mail notification	Subject to institutional privacy rules. The address does not need to be added to the SIS load if a college does not have a use case for this information.	ADDRESS_LINE_1 ADDRESS_LINE_2 ADDRESS_LINE_3 ADDRESS_LINE_4 ADDRESS_LINE_5 ADDRESS_CITY ADDRESS_STATE ADDRESS_CODE ADDRESS_COUNTRY	Patron physical address.
Statistical categories (e.g., department, school, program)	Analytics: such as programs/departments can be mapped in Alma; Managing User Statistics allows reports to be filtered by users, by user group, category, and so forth.	No	USER_STAT_CATEGORY (Items listed below are suggested labels to map to USER_STAT_CATEGORY fields.)	There are 10 user stat category fields that can be mapped. Below are suggested field labels to be mapped to these categories:
			PROGRAM	Program the student is currently enrolled in.
			FACULTY	The faculty or school the program is affiliated with. (eg, Liberal Arts or Business)
			DEPARTMENT	Department where faculty teach or staff are employed.
Expiry date	Tagging records for patron file clean-up.	No	EXPIRY_DATE	For students end of current semester or academic year. For staff and faculty, the college can determine the length of time. Greater than 5 years is a suggested recommendation currently.
Purge date	The date on which the user will be purged. See Purging Users.	No	PURGE_DATE	2 calendar years after expiry date.
Social login	Provide alternate login for users, e.g., community users who are not included in your SIS integration.	No	TBD