Anonymity-ensured system for providing affinity-based deliverables to library patrons

Abstract

A system and method for automatically determining library patrons' interests without having to identify the patron or otherwise invade his/her privacy based on the library patron's current use of library assets. The system and method involve categorizing the library's assets using broad mapping user interest categories, associating a user interest category with a specific library asset that is checked out, reserved or otherwise used by a library patron and providing that patron with a confirmation item containing that user interest category, providing the library patron with feedback about the library assets and the broad mapping user interest categories, allowing library patrons to access and register for a library rewards program using the user interest category number and having advertisers provide relevant information and rewards to library patrons who request such additional information.

1 - 70 . (canceled) 
     
     
         71 . A system for providing deliverables in the form of services and/or items to patrons of a library comprising:
 a confirmation item received by the patron from the library upon either checking out a specific library asset or reserving a specific library asset for checkout, said confirmation item bearing indicia indicative of a category of interest related to the subject matter of the specific library asset; and   an Internet-based system establishing a program at a website for providing said deliverables, said deliverables being in the form of information and/or expertise in the category of interest and/or events or programs available from the library or from others in the category of interest and/or promotional values in the category of interest, said Internet-based system being arranged so that the patron who receives said confirmation item can access said website to opt-into said program if the patron so chooses, said website being arranged to receive from the patron who has opted-in an input corresponding to said indicia on said confirmation item, as well as patron information, whereupon said Internet-based system responds to said indicia and said patron information by presenting the patron with information about said deliverables, so that the patron can avail himself/herself of said deliverables if the patron so chooses.   
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 71  wherein said confirmation item is in electronic form or print form. 
     
     
         73 . A method for providing deliverables in the form of services and/or items to patrons of a library comprising:
 providing a confirmation item to the patron by the library upon the patron either checking out a specific library asset or reserving a specific library asset for checkout, said confirmation item bearing indicia indicative of a category of interest related to the subject matter of the specific library asset; and   establishing a program at a website on the Internet for providing deliverables in the form of information and/or expertise in the category of interest and/or events or programs available from the library or from others in the category of interest and/or promotional values in the category of interest, said program being arranged so that the patron who receives said confirmation item can access said website to opt-into said program if the patron so chooses, said website being arranged to receive from the patron who has opted-in an input corresponding to said indicia on said confirmation item, as well as patron information, whereupon said Internet-based system responds to said indicia and said patron information by presenting the patron with information about said deliverables, so that the patron can avail himself/herself of said deliverables if the patron so chooses.   
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 73  wherein said confirmation item is in electronic form or print form. 
     
     
         75 . A method of doing business by a service provider comprising:
 establishing a system for a library to enable patrons of the library to have access to deliverables in the form of services and/or items, said system comprising providing a confirmation item to the patron upon the patron either checking out a specific library asset or reserving a specific library asset for checkout, said confirmation item bearing indicia indicative of a category of interest related to the subject matter of the specific library asset; and   establishing a program at a website on the Internet for providing deliverables in the form of information and/or expertise in the category of interest and/or events or programs available from the library or from others in the category of interest and/or promotional values in the category of interest, said program being arranged so that the patron who receives said confirmation item can access said website to opt-into said program if the patron so chooses, said website being arranged to receive from the patron who has opted-in an input corresponding to said indicia on said confirmation item, as well as patron information, whereupon said Internet-based system responds to said indicia and said patron information by presenting the patron with information about said deliverables, so that the patron can avail himself/herself of said deliverables if the patron so chooses.   
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 75  wherein said confirmation item is in electronic form or print form.