Managing Patron Logins and Passwords

How you manage a patron’s login details depends on the authentication method used by your library.

For manually managed accounts, login details and passwords are maintained in ePlatform. For automated authentication, credentials are managed by the connected school, organisation, or Library Management System.

Identify the authentication method

ePlatform authentication methods fall into two groups:

• Manual authentication: The patron uses a barcode or username and password recorded directly in ePlatform.
• Automated authentication: The patron uses credentials from an SSO provider, directory service, Library Management System, or another connected system.

You must know which method the patron uses before attempting to change or reset their login details.

Manage manual accounts

Manually created accounts are managed from the Patrons page in the ePlatform Admin area.

To find a patron account:

1. Sign in to ePlatform using an administrator account.
2. Open the Admin area.
3. Select Patrons.
4. Locate the required patron.
5. Open the patron record.

From the patron record, review and update the available account information as required.

A barcode or username is required for a manually managed patron account. Additional patron information can include:

• name;
• role;
• year level; and
• date of birth.

Accurate year-level or date-of-birth information is required if your library uses those details to restrict access to titles.

Reset a manual account password

If a patron with a manually managed account forgets their password, an administrator can update it from the patron record.

1. Go to Admin area → Patrons.
2. Locate and open the patron’s record.
3. Update the patron’s password.
4. Save the updated patron record.
5. Ask the patron to sign in using their barcode or username and new password.

If the patron still cannot sign in, confirm that the barcode or username being entered matches the value recorded in their patron account.

Update multiple accounts

Use the Import / Update Patrons tool when login details or other patron information need to be updated for multiple accounts.

To open the tool, go to:

Admin area → Patrons → Import / Update Patrons

1. Open the Import / Update Patrons page.
2. Download the sample file if you need a correctly formatted template.
3. Prepare the patron information in an Excel or CSV file.
4. Upload the completed file.
5. Complete the update using the instructions displayed on the page.
6. Check the Patrons page to confirm that the records were updated.

Manage automated login details

For automated authentication, ePlatform uses credentials managed by the connected system. This can include:

• Single Sign-On;
• Google or Microsoft;
• LDAP or Active Directory;
• SIP2 through a Library Management System; or
• a supported Library Management System API.

Passwords for these accounts are not managed as manual ePlatform passwords. If a patron forgets their password, they should use your school’s, organisation’s, or library system’s usual password-recovery process.

If the patron can sign in to the connected system but cannot access ePlatform, record the error message and contact your IT team or ePlatform Support.

Test the patron’s login

After changing login details for a manually managed account, test the account before returning it to the patron.

1. Open your library’s ePlatform sign-in page.
2. Enter the patron’s barcode or username.
3. Enter the updated password.
4. Confirm that the patron reaches the correct ePlatform library.
5. Borrow an available eBook or Audiobook.
6. Open the title and confirm that reading or playback begins.

Need help?

If a patron still cannot sign in after the correct login details have been confirmed, submit a support request or email support@eplatform.co.

Include:

• your library name;
• the authentication method used by the patron;
• whether the problem affects one patron or multiple patrons; and
• the error message displayed, if any.

Related articles

• Authentication and Access Options