If I understand you correctly, you want to allow "instant
registration" so that a user can register and immediately use online
databases, without having to step foot in a library?  Further, this is
something you anticipate for the future, and not something you want
_just_ for migration?

Assuming I'm understanding your correctly, I have a couple ideas.  All
in all, it depends really on how you authenticate access to your
databases (SIP/NCIP or just dummy 'Does this meet the rules for a
valid number'?-type authentication).  I'm going to assume that it's
the second (or, perhaps if you use number 1 you can also check number
2 if number 1 comes back with a 'soft' failure [user not registered...
denial would be caused by delinquency/expiration/etc]).

My first thought would be to create a "dummy" registration system.  A
person fills out a form online.  The contents of this form are
e-mailed to a library.  The system generates a number that meets the
validation criteria for the databases, but would not be valid for the
PAC or the like.  For example, if your libraries use a patron barcode
scheme 2BBBBXXXXXXXXC (where B is a branch ID number, XXXXXXXX is the
patrons' "serial number" at that particular branch and C is a
mathematically-calculated checkdigit), your "electronically-generated"
barcode numbers could use a branch ID of something you'd be unlikely
to utilize in the system (such as 9999, so a sample barcode may be
29999000000014).

A second option may be to frequently create a number of "dummy" patron
records with real barcode numbers.  These barcode numbers will then be
placed in a database on your web site.  A patron will register using a
web form, and when he/she clicks "submit" the application will be
e-mailed to the library staff.  He will then get his real card number
and PIN and can use this for requesting items in the PAC/etc.  He
would then be instructed to come to the library to get his actual
card.  The staff would take the e-mail application and update the
"dummy" registration to reflect his actual data.

A third option would be to not utilize numbers at all.  If you can add
an authentication to your database provider to support access from a
referer page, you could create a temporary-use form on your web site.
A user would have to fill this out, and upon completion he can access
your databases (because the referer would be your web site).  A
downside is not all database vendors support this type of
"authentication", and many firewalls are beginning to block
HTTP_REFERER.

As a final note, if Patron Self Registration from the OPAC is a
feature you may find useful (for databases or otherwise), file an
enhancement request with SIRSI.  Quite a number of systems' DO support
a self-registration mechanism, and chances are it's probably on their
"to-do list" anyway... But, if people start asking for it, the
priority will rise!

Good luck in your migration, and I hope this helps!
--Don McMorris

On 4/23/07, Michael McCulley <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> We have the older Sirsi DRA Classic system here at SDPL, and while we are migrating soon to Unicorn from SirsiDynix, we already can see something we're interested in doing that seems "beyond" Unicorn's capabilities.
>
> Has anyone seen or heard of coding/scripts or hacks/workarounds to provide eCards (temporary library cards) via Unicorn? We'd like to issue temporary cards via the Unicorn interface or our public Web site for "immediate" access to the databases, say good for 30-60 days, and, later, they can be upgraded at any of our library to a full-access library card. As an aside, we'll have the hosted version of Unicorn, so we won't have the system/files on any local servers we can access.
>
> We've noticed with interest that some Horizon systems, III, CARL, etc. can do this, but thus far, I can't see anyone with Unicorn that has done this. Any type of library (academic or public) is a good source, if you've heard of something. Please drop me a note via e-mail, or post here.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Michael
>
>
> P. Michael McCulley, Librarian II / Information & Technology
> San Diego Public Library, 820 E Street, CA 92101-4806
> Phone: 619-238-6678 / FAX: 619-238-6639
> E-mail: [log in to unmask]
>