Bug 41986 - Names in "Contact information" need more clarity
Summary: Names in "Contact information" need more clarity
Status: Passed QA
Alias: None
Product: Koha
Classification: Unclassified
Component: Patrons (show other bugs)
Version: Main
Hardware: All All
: P5 - low minor
Assignee: David Cook
QA Contact: Jonathan Druart
URL:
Keywords:
Depends on: 28633 39587
Blocks:
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Reported: 2026-03-03 23:06 UTC by David Cook
Modified: 2026-03-04 10:03 UTC (History)
4 users (show)

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Patch complexity: ---
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Text to go in the release notes:
This changes the "Contact information" section on the patron details page (moremember.pl) to: - show the "Middle name" field (where it exists) - show the "Preferred name" field at the top (where it differs from the "First name").
Version(s) released in:
Circulation function:


Attachments
Bug 41986: Add more names to Contact information and clarify preferred name (2.85 KB, patch)
2026-03-03 23:51 UTC, David Cook
Details | Diff | Splinter Review
Bug 41986: Add more names to Contact information and clarify preferred name (2.90 KB, patch)
2026-03-04 00:18 UTC, David Nind
Details | Diff | Splinter Review
Bug 41986: Add more names to Contact information and clarify preferred name (2.97 KB, patch)
2026-03-04 08:54 UTC, Jonathan Druart
Details | Diff | Splinter Review

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Description David Cook 2026-03-03 23:06:08 UTC
Bug 28633 added "First name:" to the "Contact information" on moremember.pl when there's a firstname and preferred name. (This has a number of issues when migrating patrons with non-Koha tools, but I'll put a pin in that for now.)

Because people got confused why only "First name:" was appearing, bug 39587 added the "Surname:" as well (one day, I hope we can change this to "Last name:" which is more optimal for UX but oh well). 

At this point, we should add "Preferred name:" (if it differs from First name - see https://bugs.koha-community.org/bugzilla3/show_bug.cgi?id=28633#c144), and "Middle name:".

This should provide maximum clarity about which name is which.
Comment 1 David Cook 2026-03-03 23:51:18 UTC
Created attachment 194417 [details] [review]
Bug 41986: Add more names to Contact information and clarify preferred name

This patch adds the "Middle name" to the Contact information on moremember.pl,
and it adds "Preferred name:" when it differs from the "First name:". This
provides maximum clarity to staff users.

Test plan:
0. Apply the patch
1. Go to the "Patrons" module and search for or add a new patron
2. Add a firstname, a middle name, and a surname. Also add a "Preferred name"
which matches the firstname.
3. Go to "Details" on the sidebar, and note that "First name", "Middle name",
and "Surname" appear in the "Contact information".
4. Edit the patron and change "Preferred name" to a name that does not
match the "First name"
5. Go to "Details" on the sidebar, and note that "Preferred name" now shows
as well.
6. Enjoy fully comprehending which name is which for the patron!
Comment 2 David Cook 2026-03-03 23:53:15 UTC
People can debate whether this is a bug fix or an enhancement. I think an argument could be made for either. I marked it as a bug fix because I think it fixes a problem rather than adding an improvement per se.
Comment 3 David Nind 2026-03-04 00:18:16 UTC
Created attachment 194419 [details] [review]
Bug 41986: Add more names to Contact information and clarify preferred name

This patch adds the "Middle name" to the Contact information on moremember.pl,
and it adds "Preferred name:" when it differs from the "First name:". This
provides maximum clarity to staff users.

Test plan:
0. Apply the patch
1. Go to the "Patrons" module and search for or add a new patron
2. Add a firstname, a middle name, and a surname. Also add a "Preferred name"
which matches the firstname.
3. Go to "Details" on the sidebar, and note that "First name", "Middle name",
and "Surname" appear in the "Contact information".
4. Edit the patron and change "Preferred name" to a name that does not
match the "First name"
5. Go to "Details" on the sidebar, and note that "Preferred name" now shows
as well.
6. Enjoy fully comprehending which name is which for the patron!

Signed-off-by: David Nind <david@davidnind.com>
Comment 4 David Cook 2026-03-04 00:20:05 UTC
You're an absolute legend, David Nind. Thanks heaps!
Comment 5 Jonathan Druart 2026-03-04 08:54:54 UTC
Created attachment 194434 [details] [review]
Bug 41986: Add more names to Contact information and clarify preferred name

This patch adds the "Middle name" to the Contact information on moremember.pl,
and it adds "Preferred name:" when it differs from the "First name:". This
provides maximum clarity to staff users.

Test plan:
0. Apply the patch
1. Go to the "Patrons" module and search for or add a new patron
2. Add a firstname, a middle name, and a surname. Also add a "Preferred name"
which matches the firstname.
3. Go to "Details" on the sidebar, and note that "First name", "Middle name",
and "Surname" appear in the "Contact information".
4. Edit the patron and change "Preferred name" to a name that does not
match the "First name"
5. Go to "Details" on the sidebar, and note that "Preferred name" now shows
as well.
6. Enjoy fully comprehending which name is which for the patron!

Signed-off-by: David Nind <david@davidnind.com>

Signed-off-by: Jonathan Druart <jonathan.druart@bugs.koha-community.org>