[Publib] Patron Use of Credit Cards for Library Charges

[Elizabeth Bradt]

The Tuscaloosa Public Library is considering giving patrons the option
to use credit cards to pay library charges at the circulation desk.
After checking the archives, I still have questions I hope some of you
can answer.

Our bank has suggested using VIACLICKS software (NOVA) on the computers
at the circulation desk with a miniwedge connected to the computer to
read the credit card.  The software is $50 with a $20 monthly fee; the
miniwedge is an $80 purchase.  The charges would be $0.20 per
transaction plus 1.87 % of the total amount per transaction.  As I
understand the process, after the amount is approved by VIACLICKS, the
staff would still have to enter the payment in the Innovative
circulation system just as they would with payments in cash or by check.

At the present time, we are only interested having payment by credit
card available at the circulation desk not online through our webpage.

My questions are:

1.	Have you used this software and did it work well for you?

2.	Have you used some other provider/arrangement that you would
recommend?

3.	Has the use of credit cards been well received by your patrons?


4.	Has the use of credit cards increased the collection of library
charges?

5.	If the use of credit cards has caused you problems, what are the
problems and how have you handled them.

Many thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge and advice.

Elizabeth J. Bradt
Assistant Director for Public Services
Tuscaloosa Public Library
1801 Jack Warner Parkway
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
205-345-5820
ebradt at tuscaloosa-library.org