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OCLC Support

Institution Borrower Categories

Learn how to add, edit, or delete patron types for WorldShare Management Services.

To access this screen, sign in Service Configuration, open the WMS Institution left navigation, select Institution Borrower Categories.

Use this screen to add, edit, or delete patron types.

  • You must configure a Patron Type Policy for the patron types you create on this screen in order to use them in WMS.
Implementing/migrating libraries: OCLC staff will complete this section for you during your implementation. After implementation, you are responsible for maintaining your patron types.

Add a new patron type

  1. At the bottom of the screen, click Add Row or Add 10 Rows, depending on the number of patron types you want to add.
  2. Enter a patron type. Do not enter more than 30 characters.
  3. Optional. Enter a description. The description only displays on this screen.
  4. Click Save.

Edit an existing patron type

  • Editing an existing patron type does not change the patron accounts that are associated with the original patron type.
  • Any account with the original patron type will not be updated with the new patron type.
  • Contact OCLC Support if you have any questions or concerns about changing existing patron types.
  1. Add the new patron type (the patron type that will replace the original) by following the instructions in Add a new patron type, above.
  2. Create a patron type policy for the new patron type on the Patron Type Policy screen in the WMS Circulation module.
  3. To update existing patron accounts with the new patron type, you have two options:
    1. You can manually edit the patrons in WMS, or
    2. You can send an ongoing patron file for these patrons
      • In order to send an ongoing patron file, you must have automated loads turned on
      • If you do not have automated loads set up, contact  OCLC Support
      • If you have not sent patron files since your migration, contact  OCLC Support

Delete a patron type

  • Deleting a patron type does not change the patron accounts that are associated with the original patron type.
  • Deleting a patron type will impact all of your circulation policies
    • For example, whenever the patron type is used in a policy, the field will revert back to All.
  • You will need to update your patron accounts and policies accordingly.
  1. Next to the patron you want to delete, click Delete.
  2. To update the patron accounts affected by the deletion, you have two options:
    1. You can manually edit the patrons in WMS, or
    2. You can send an ongoing patron file for these patrons
      • In order to send an ongoing patron file, you must have automated loads set up
      • If you do not have automated loads set up, contact  OCLC Support
      • If you have not sent patron files since your migration, contact  OCLC Support

Import from circ

The Import from Circ functionality imports patron types that have already been set in the Patron Type Policy screen in the WMS Circulation module.

Related policies

Institution Borrower Categories is used in: