Configure patron registration

You can configure a patron registration form at the main site, individual collection sites, or both.

The patron registration form allows new users to create a library account by providing the required information and accepting library policies.

Optionally, the system can send a confirmation email to the patron that includes their new barcode and instructions for setting a password to access Vega Discover.

  • For Sierra libraries, email confirmation requires a configured password reset workflow. You must provide the CAS password reset URL in the patron registration settings.
    Patrons use the link in the confirmation email to create or reset their password.
  • Temporary patron barcodes are generated automatically during registrations:
    • Polaris uses the PACREG prefix.
    • Sierra uses a random 15-character alphanumeric barcode.
  • When searching for self-registered patrons in Sierra, you may need to prepend b to the generated barcode when using the patron barcode index.

If your library has specific fields for patron registration, ensure that the same fields are marked as required in the registration form. If duplicate checking is configured in the ILS, the self-registration follows those rules and may prevent registration if matching patron records are found.

You can customize all registration form labels, messages, and email content in Vega Discover strings. If the registration form allows patrons to select a preferred language, registration emails are sent using the strings for the selected language.

To configure the patron registration form

  1. In the upper-right corner, select Settings icon. icon.

  2. Select Interface configurations > Patron Registration.

    Alternatively, navigate to Site Configuration > Interface Configurations > Patron Registration.

    The Patron Registration Settings page is displayed.

    In the Registration URL section, you can see the URL for the form you're creating.
    You can copy and use this URL later to link to the registration form.

  3. In Patron Registration settings, turn on Enable patron registration.
    The form is not available to patrons until this setting is enabled.

  4. Select the default patron type:

    • Self-Registered Patron Type (Sierra), or

    • Patron Code (Polaris)

  5. (Optional) Assign a default Home Location (Sierra) or Patron registered library (Polaris).

  6. (Optional) Turn on Send confirmation email if you want patrons to receive an email with instructions for setting up their password and login to the Vega Discover system after they submit their registration form.
    If you leave this off, patrons will only see a success message when they register. You need to customize the text of the success message to give patrons additional instructions for using their new accounts.

  7. (Sierra only) In Password Reset URL, enter the URL used in your CAS login workflow.
    The reset PIN workflow must be configured for email confirmation to work.

  8. In the Patron Registration Fields section, select the fields to include on the form, and state whether they are Required or Optional.

  9. (Polaris only) If you've created user-defined fields, you can utilize them for the patron registration form in the Custom ILS Fields section:

    • To use a user-defined field to add a custom field to all self-registered patrons similarly to the Patron Code and the Patron registered library setting, select the Default Value from a custom ILS field and make sure Show in the Display column is disabled.
      This will add this field to all registering patrons without the need for them to select a value in the form.

    • To use a user-defined field to display a field in the form to a patron, activate the Show toggle switch in the Display column, and then select whether the field is Optional or Required.
      You can also choose a default value for displayed form fields for the user-defined fields.

  10. In the Library Policies, provide the Display Text and the URL to any library policies that the registering users need to accept.
    You can add as many policies as needed for your library.

  11. Select Save changes with the Enable Patron Registration option activated to publish the form.

  12. Use the Registration URL (from step 2) to make the form accessible to patrons.
    You can add it to your library website, a custom header, or using the Vega Discover Page Customizations to place the URL in the Header Navigation as a custom link.

Patron registration security measures

Vega Discover automatically protects the patron registration form from automated bot submissions.

A built-in invisible CAPTCHA helps prevent bots from creating patron accounts and accessing patron features. The CAPTCHA analyzes user behavior in the background without requiring users to tick a checkbox.

The system evaluates signals such as mouse movements, typing patterns, and browsing activity when a user submits the registration form. Legitimate users can complete registration without interruption, while suspicious or automated submissions are blocked.