Authentication and authorization

Learn how to create and update patron records in Relais ILL.

Patron authentication

Patrons can be authenticated in one of the following ways:

  1. Lookup in the library’s local institutional system (e.g., using an LDAP server)
    • See Patron authentication via a third party system.
    • The result of this lookup is passed through to Relais via OpenURL.  
    • The patron data may then be retrieved from a lookup (via NCIP, ESIP, or SIP2) against a local ILS or from a patron record in Relais.
  2. Lookup in the library’s local ILS
    • The patron enters a login and password.  These credentials are checked against their patron record in the local ILS (via NCIP, ESIP or SIP2).
    • In this case, only skeletal patron information is stored in Relais.  Complete and current patron information is provided from the ILS for each request. 
  3. Relais Login
    • The patron enters a login and password.  These credentials are checked against their patron record in Relais.  
    • This requires that patron records exist in Relais. 

 Note: Login and Password combinations created in the Relais patron records are case-sensitive.

Create and update patron records

When required, patron records can be created and updated in the following ways:

Load/Update options Description
Relais Patron Load Relais application to load and update patron records in batch.
Add Request Web Service Relais web service which adds requests and can also be used to create a patron record if one does not already exist.
Relais Staff Patron Registration forms Staff may register patrons as required.
Relais Patron Self-Registration forms Relais forms which allow your patrons to register themselves online.