How to use the Quick add new patron option

There are several to add a patron to the site. This article will outline how to swiftly add a simplified patron account through a process that priorities speed over creating a detailed record. 

Navigating to the + Quick add new patron tool

Go to the Patrons module on the homepage:

Click on the + Quick add new patron button

This will create a dropdown with a list of all patron categories on your system. 

Patron categories will vary from system to system, as they can be deleted or added to as needed by library staff, however you should choose the category that is most appropriate for the type of patron being created e.g. child, staff, external student etc.

For more details on patron categories, please check our Help Centre.

Filling out the +Quick add new patron form

This will open a form containing fields to be filled out with the new patron's information. 

The specific fields shown on this form can be customised. For more details on this option, please contact Interleaf Technology. 

The aim of this form is to get new patrons registered quickly. Accounts created using this feature can be edited at a later point when library staff has time to add more data. 

Fields marked in red are mandatory and fields in black are optional. 

It is a good idea to make the card number field mandatory for a number of reasons.

1. If this field is non-mandatory and is left blank, Koha will automatically generate a cardnumber for the new patron. This gives library staff less control and ability to record the numbers being given out. 
   

2. In order to check items out all patrons will need a cardnumber so it is good to monitor that they are being assigned correctly.
   

3. A mandatory field will encourage all library staff to have a procedure for assigning library cards, creating a standard and intuitive sequence for the library cards.

Fill out form and click Save.

Once the patron information has been saved, you will be taken directly into the patron record you just created.

This patron account can be edited at any time to include more information about the patron. 

Patron Permissions

If the patron being created will be using the staff side of Koha it is important to determine what permissions they will be given. It is important to note that in order for the patron to be able to login they have to be give the permission catalogue Required for staff login. Staff access, allows viewing of catalogue in staff client. 

For more information on patron permissions, please check our Help Centre.

Version History
Version	Date	Detail	Author
1.0	22/08/2025	Document Created	Holly Cooper
Retention Policy
Permanent		X

• Related Articles

• How to create a new patron account

  This document will outline how to manually add a new patron account. Step 1 - Find the tool to add new patrons Go to Patrons module on the homepage. There will be two options, add a new patron or use the Quick add new patron. Clicking on either ...

• How to hide fields on the add patron form

  Patrons can be added to Koha through the Add patron form on the staff side. For details about how to use this function, please check our Help Centre. There are two versions of this form, a long and short. This document outlines how to collapse ...

• How and why to Limit Patron Permissions

  In KOHA there is the option to limit or extend the permissions on individual patron accounts. These permissions govern what modules the different patrons have access to and by extension, the specific tasks users are able to complete.  Step 1 - ...

• How to manually add students to Scooter

  The bulk of student accounts will be added through a borrower load completed annually by Interleaf Technology. However, from time to time you may need to create a new borrower record on Scooter, for example when a new student joins late in the year, ...

• How to manually add and remove restrictions from a patron account

  This document will outline how staff members can manually add a restriction to a patron account to prevent checkouts and renewals. It will also demonstrate the process of manually removing a restriction from a patron account. Step 1 - Navigate to a ...