Bug 39658 - Allow definition of non-hierarchical linked patron accounts
Summary: Allow definition of non-hierarchical linked patron accounts
Status: NEW
Alias: None
Product: Koha
Classification: Unclassified
Component: Patrons (show other bugs)
Version: Main
Hardware: All All
: P5 - low enhancement
Assignee: Bugs List
QA Contact: Testopia
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Reported: 2025-04-16 17:00 UTC by Andrew Fuerste-Henry
Modified: 2025-04-21 16:09 UTC (History)
4 users (show)

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Description Andrew Fuerste-Henry 2025-04-16 17:00:37 UTC
In a Koha system containing multiple functionally-autonomous libraries, one patron may have multiple distinct accounts within the same Koha system. These accounts represent distinct cards from distinct libraries and need their circulation rules enforced as such, so they can't be merged into one account. But no one of these accounts is "primary" and they all represent the same person, so guarantor/guarantee relationships are a poor conceptual fit (and may already be in use for their intended purpose).

These linked/shared accounts would:
- clearly link between each other in the Details of the patron record
- optionally reciprocally enforce restrictions and blocks due to fines & fees (when one account is blocked, all are)
- optionally allow checkout of on-hold items for shared accounts


For that last item, assuming one patron has accounts card1 and card2. They have a hold ready for pickup on their card1 account. If Koha attempts to check the waiting item out to the card2 account, koha should check the item out on the card1 account, mark the hold complete, and give the user a clear on-screen message as to what happened. It should not ask for confirmation.
Comment 1 Phillip Berg 2025-04-21 16:09:14 UTC
Library patrons may qualify for different levels of library service in multiple library services areas. For example, one might live in one town, own a vacation property elsewhere, and work yet somewhere else. Each of those libraries have certain materials/services that they only allow local card-holders to access, thus why some people receive multiple cards.

This is more prevalent in some cooperatives/consortia representing many tax districts, municipalities, and counties via a single instance of the ILS. The guarantee/guarantor function is great for family dynamics, but does not work for individuals who possess two, three, or more total library cards (each at different libraries). Choosing which library card in these situations should be the guarantor is awkward at best and politically charged at worst. We also don't want a situation where a patron tries to game the system by running up huge bills on each account without an auto-block coming into play.

Having the ability to simply connect multiple patron accounts together to better manage that person's library privileges, usage, and restrictions is vital to keeping a harmonious relationship between libraries.

This change would not remove or force any Koha libraries to abandon the guarantee/guarantor functionality. We just need to add another option.