To download the ppt that accompanied this workshop click on the file name above the "Printer Friendly" button.
Macy Museum Adventure Program FAQs
Question: Will the Brookfield Zoo passes still be valid once the Macy’s program begins? {For MLS Libraries}
Answer: No, after September 1, the Brookfield Zoo will be part of the Macy’s Museum Pass Program. Passes to the Brookfield Zoo are included with the other museum participants.
Question: How will the passes be circulated and will they need to be returned to the library once they have been used? Are the overdue fees to be determined by the lending library? Will the database also know when passes for a specific museum are not available?
Answer: Passes are checked out by the database that is part of the website www.museumadventure.org. Libraries login via the Partner login. Passes will be printed out with an expiration date, the patron name and a partial barcode. It will also include information about the museum and program sponsors. The database will track the usage; and create reports for the program. In the database you can check to see what museums have passes available to be checked. The passes can then be kept by the museum or destroyed but cannot be used again. There will not be a need to charge overdue fees. This also means that the circulation desk does not have to be the location where patrons go for passes.
Question: Can the passes be checked out for a shorter period than the 1 week, such as 3 days?
Answer: No, the program loan periods must be consistent.
Question: How many passes will be available?
Answer: Each participating museum will provide four passes (each admitting up to four people) to each participating library. The number of passes each library receives will depend on how many museums are participating.
Question: Who can check out the passes?
Answer: Users must have a valid library card for the library issuing the pass. The passes are non-transferrable and are not for reciprocal borrowers. Each library can decide whether to limit the number of passes a user has at one time. It is recommended that the passes be checked out by adult cardholders and limited to 1 per household.
Question: Does the database authenticate a Library barcode? Or do we have to check our system separately to verify that he/she is a patron with an active card?
Answer: Yes, libraries will have to check their system; the pass database does not interact with other databases.
Question: Will staff need to use their home library for passes?
Answer: Yes, only registered borrowers from the library can use the passes.
Question: Can we see which patrons have which passes checked out?
Answer: Yes, during the 7-day pass period. Click on the “View/Reprint Current passes” select all museums and click submit. A list of all passes that have been checked out, the patron information and expiration date will appear. This is only to track down abuse and handle printing errors.
Question: If a patron asks when a specific pass will be returned, will we be able to view the expiration dates through the database? If so, how?
Answer: Yes, go to “View/Reprint Current passes” then select the specific museum and hit submit.
Question: How do we reprint a pass if it doesn't work or a patron loses their pass?
Answer: Go to “View/Reprint Current Passes” select the museum the pass is for, then click submit. Click “View Pass” for that pass then print a new copy. The reprinted pass will have the same expiration date as the original and will not impact the available pass number.
Question: Will patrons be able to place a hold on the passes?
Answer: Patrons will not be able to place a hold remotely or through the database. Libraries deciding to do this will have to handle the holds manually.
Question: When a patron checks out a pass will the database retain the patron information?
Answer: No, the database will not retain any patron information after the pass has expired.
Question: Do patrons need to show identification when using the passes?
Answer: We are recommending that libraries suggest to their patrons to have the library card and photo ID in hand when using the passes. Some museums will be checking ID’s.
Question: The pass said "2 free admissions" then in parenthesis said "buy one get one free, limit 2 free admissions". Does that mean a patron has to buy two tickets in order to get two free with that library pass?
Answer: Yes to get the two free admissions you will need to buy two admissions. So, if there are two people, you buy one and get one free. If there are four, you buy two, get two free. But it is limited to two free admissions per family, so if there are six people you buy four, but only get two free admissions.
Question: How will the program be promoted and publized?
Answer: Each library will receive a promotional packet. The packet will include signs to post in the library, tri-fold brochures to display and bookmarks. Each library will also receive a notebook of information sheets on participating museums and customizable templates. A website is being developed that libraries and museums will link to from their sites. Other promotional material will be available on the website that can be downloaded and customized for your library. Macy’s will be handling publicity with their media contacts. Press kits will be sent to local media providing information about the program.
Questions: If I have a branch library will we receive passes for that location also?
Answer: No, each library will receive one set of passes from each participating museum. It is a local library’s decision on how they will distribute passes to branches.
Question: If a library finds that the program is not working for them, can they stop participating at any point?
Answer: Yes, and if a library makes that decision they will handle the PR to their community
Printing Tips:
- The passes can be printed in color or B/W. A gradient to the borders and a watermark have been added to discourage people from copying the passes.
- When printing the passes you may have the option to print background images turned off. If you do not see the pass borders when you print preview, follow these steps to turn background printing on:
· in Internet Explorer 7
– Select Tools - Internet Options, then click on the Advanced tab.
– Under Printing there is an option for "Print background colors and images".
– Make sure this is checked.
· In Firefox,
– go to File - Page Setup.
– On the Format & Options tab there is a checkbox for "Print Background (colors & images)".
– You will need to make sure this is checked.
- If you have made the changes and the watermark or borders are still not printing, check your printer settings/preferences.
Note: We are aware that some libraries are having printer issues and we have made the museums aware of this problem.