Linked accounts in Aspen

Aspen Discovery has linked account functionality which, when enabled, allows library users to have access to multiple library accounts from a single place. Users can easily view and manage their digital library cards, checkouts, holds and fines for all linked accounts.

This is very useful in public libraries for families and carers etc, but also can be used in other library environments where a user needs to manage multiple accounts – e.g. linking trainees with their supervisors or linking together a set of students with a group tutor.

Any accounts may be linked together as Aspen does not look at the patron categories associated with the accounts. All that is needed to link accounts together is the user’s login and password.

Linked accounts need to be enabled so if you use multiple Aspen themes (e.g. consortium with each member having their own Aspen interface on the shared system), system administrators can choose to enable the functionality on specific themes.

To enable linked accounts, go to Aspen Administration — Primary Configuration — (select relevant theme) — Library Systems —  ILS/Account Integration and tick the box next to Allow Linked Accounts