[Koha-devel] Enable libraries to moderate OPAC self-registrations

[Alex Buckley]

Kia ora/Hello Koha community,

I am currently working on reviving bug 25090
<https://bugs.koha-community.org/bugzilla3/show_bug.cgi?id=25090> (
Moderate OPAC self-registrations before a patron account is created ).

*New proposed functionality:*

Step 1: The library enables both the new
'PatronSelfRegistrationModeration' syspref and the existing
'OpacResetPassword'syspref.

Step 2: When a user submits an OPAC self-registration their Koha patron
account is not created immediately - i.e. they cannot yet log into the OPAC.

Step 3: A pending registration link appears at the bottom of the staff
client home page (like what's currently done with new purchase
suggestions, or OPAC patron modification requests).

Step 4: Librarians can click on the link to go to a page to approve or
decline the registration.

Step 4a: If approved the user is sent an email notice, containing their
Koha username and an OPAC reset password link.

Step 4b: If declined the user is sent a different email notice.

*The rationale for adding this feature:*
You can currently limit the circulation of self-registered patrons - by
using the PatronSelfRegistrationDefaultCategory syspref and creating
circulation rule(s) for that category.

However, users only need an OPAC login (without the ability to
circulate) to access electronic content providers (integrated with Koha
via STunnel/SIP2). Some electronic content providers charge libraries
based on their usage. Meaning it might not be optimal having anyone from
around the world self-registering for a library OPAC login and accessing
electronic content from some providers, therefore, incurring extra costs
for the library.

Bug 25090 was originally developed in the early days of the pandemic to
ensure new self-registering OPAC users accessing 3rd party databases
were coming from acceptable locations i.e. they were members of the
organisation the library is in.

More details can be found here:
https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/mental-health-education-resource-library-now-offers-online-self-registration

*Questions I would like to hear your thoughts on please:*

Q1: Are you in favour of this as a new feature in Koha?

Q2: Would you prefer a new database table be added for
self-registrations awaiting approval, or should I use the
borrowers_modifications table - as is used by OPAC patron modification
requests?

Q3: How would you envisage this self-registration moderation feature
fitting in with the existing  PatronSelfRegistrationVerifyByEmailand
PatronSelfRegistrationDefaultCategory sysprefs?

Any thoughts much appreciated.

Kind regards,

Alex
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