There are several ways to authenticate a user and the decision for which one is best for your users can be overwhelming. We have broken our options into 2 categories to help make this decision a little easier on you.
Please see our Authentication Categories below:
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Standard Authentication Methods - does not require integration, user or admin creates individual accounts
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Barcode Authentications - uses a reader’s library card to authenticate
We are here to help you decide which method is best for you and your readers. If you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to reach out to our support team at help@joyfulreading.com.
Standard Authentication Methods
User Managed
User-managed authentication allows you to manually enter or batch upload a .csv file of users you would like to grant access to your Comics Plus website. Individual users can be added, managed, or deleted by the Comics Plus library administrator(s) at any time.
Here is a step-by-step process explaining how to upload and manage user accounts!
How To Manage Your Readers Usernames and Passwords
Log In Steps:
The user must access the School/Library's Unique Comics Plus URL to sign up.
If you do not have your school/library's specific URL please contact support.
1. From your School/Library's unique Comics Plus URL enter the Username and Password given to you by your school/library.
2. You're now logged in and ready to read thousands of Comic Books and Graphic Novels!
Registration Code
Registration Code allows you to send your School/Library's Comics Plus website URL and unique code out to all staff, students, parents, and/or readers. Once they enter the code they will be prompted to create their own Comics Plus account with 2 simple fields 1. username and 2. password. This allows students/readers to be able to log in and sign up from anywhere! Once they create a login they will no longer need to use the registration code.
Log In Steps:
The user must access the School/Library's Unique Comics Plus URL to sign up.
If you do not have your school/library's specific URL please contact support.
1. From your School/Library's unique Comics Plus URL - Click on "Sign-Up Now!"
2. From here you should see your School/Library's name and a field to enter a registration code. Enter the correct registration code here, once the correct code is entered, 2 field prompts will appear , enter the email address you want to use as your username and the password you want for the account, click "Sign Up".
3. You're now logged in and ready to read thousands of Comic Books and Graphic Novels!
Referrer URL
Schools and libraries can have their Comics Plus URL placed on the inside of a student or reader account. The website they access the school/library Comics Plus account from will be used as the authenticator. The user will then create an account and have access to the collection.
Log In Steps:
The user must access the School/Library's Unique Comics Plus URL to sign up.
If you do not have your school/library's specific URL please contact support.
1. From your School/Library's unique Comics Plus URL - Click on "Sign-Up Now!"
2. Enter a username and password to create the account, and you are now logged in and ready to read thousands of Comic Books and Graphic Novels!
IP Authentication
IP Authentication allows the school or library to authenticate using their IP Addresses.
Log In Steps:
The user must access the School/Library's Unique Comics Plus URL to sign up.
If you do not have your school/library's specific URL please contact support.
1. You must access Comics Plus while onsite at your School/Library to create an account.
From your School/Library's unique Comics Plus URL - Click on "Sign-Up Now!"
2. Enter a username and password to create your account.
3. You are now logged in and ready to read thousands of Comic Books and Graphic Novels!
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Barcode Authentications
SIP2
SIP2 allows your readers to log into their Comics Plus account using their Library Card number and PIN. This authentication method links directly to your ILS allowing you to fully control which users are able to authenticate.
Log In Steps:
The user will access the library's unique Comics Plus website URL provided in the onboarding email
1. Enter your Library Card Number and PIN (if requested). If it does not ask for a PIN, only enter your Library Card Number.
2. You are now logged in and ready to read thousands of Comic Books and Graphic Novels!
Spydus LCF API
Please note: LCF API authentication is only available for libraries using the Spydus ILS.
Spydus Library Communication Framework (LCF) allows your readers to log into their Comics Plus account using their Library Card number and PIN. This authentication method links securely to your Spydus ILS allowing you to fully control which users are able to authenticate.
Log In Steps:
The user will access the library's unique Comics Plus website URL provided in the onboarding email
1. Enter your Library Card Number and PIN (if requested). If it does not ask for a PIN, only enter your Library Card Number.
2. You are now logged in and ready to read thousands of Comic Books and Graphic Novels!
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Patron API (Sierra ILS)
Patron API allows your readers to log into their Comics Plus account using their Library Card number and PIN. This authentication method links directly to the Sierra ILS allowing you to control what users are able to authenticate.
Log In Steps:
The user will access the library's unique Comics Plus website URL provided in the onboarding email
1. Enter your Library Card Number and PIN (if requested). If it does not ask for a PIN, only enter your Library Card Number.
2. You are now logged in and ready to read thousands of Comic Books and Graphic Novels!
Prefix
This authentication method uses the prefix of your library card format to authenticate users. It is easy to set up and easy to explain to readers. All they need is their active library card number!
Log In Steps:
Users will only need their library card number to create an account.
The user will access the library's unique Comics Plus website URL provided in the onboarding email
1. Enter your Library Card Number and PIN (if requested). The first time you log in you will be creating your PIN. If it does not ask for a PIN, only enter your Library Card Number.
2. You're now logged in and ready to read thousands of Comic Books and Graphic Novels!
Feeling overwhelmed? Ask for Help!
Submit a ticket and we would be happy to talk through these options with you and help you decide what fits best with your Library and readers!