The library now offers text message notifications for overdue notices, arrived request notices, and friendly notices. Staff must enter patrons' cell phone numbers and carriers before setting notification preferences. Patrons should understand the library does not charge for texts but their carrier may. Registration forms and the patron system will be updated to reflect text message notification options and include a disclaimer about potential carrier fees. The goal is to help the library save money on postage by encouraging electronic notifications whenever possible.

1. TEXT MESSAGING AND NOTIFICATIONS
What do staff need to know?

2. TLC NOW OFFERS TEXT MESSAGING FOR
NOTIFICATIONS
 SMS (short message service) technology
can be used for:
 Overdue notices
 Arrived request notices
 Friendly notices (items due soon)
 Regina will turn this service on soon and staff
will need to set notifications for new cards
and for renewed cards.

3. PATRONS SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT:
 The library does not charge to send notices
via text messaging or email or phone or
snail mail!
 But the patron’s cell phone carrier may
charge them if their cell phone plan does not
include free or unlimited text messages.
 Whether or not the carrier charges is an
issue between the patron and the cell phone
carrier.
 Please gently explain that the library has
nothing to do with these charges.

4. STAFF SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT:
 Before Notifications can be set, you must:
 Go to the Basic Information tab on the
patron record.
 Enter the SMS Cell Phone Number.
 Enter the SMS Cell Phone Carrier.
 If the patron’s cell phone carrier is not
in the list, please let Regina know. She
may be able to add other carriers to
this list.
 You can see a picture of this on the next

6. STAFF SHOULD ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT:
 The Notifications choices are:
 Final Overdue Notices and Overdue Notices should
be set the same. (Text, Telephone, or E-mail. Paper
should only be selected if the patron has no phone.)
 Arrived Request Notices (Text, Telephone, or E-mail)
 Friendly Notices (This reminder goes to patrons a
couple of days before their items are due and only
Text or E-mail can be selected.)
 Cancelled Request Notices must always be set to
Paper!
 You can see a picture of this on the next page.

8. LIBRARY CARD REGISTRATION FORMS
 Registration forms will change to reflect the
choices.
 A “disclaimer” statement has been added to
clarify any fees the patron might be charged.
“The library does not charge you to send text
messages, but your cell phone carrier may
charge you if your cell phone plan does not
include free or unlimited text messages.”

9. THE ADULT REGISTRATION FORM WILL LOOK
SOMETHING LIKE THIS ONCE IT IS FINALIZED.

10. THE JUVENILE REGISTRATION FORM WILL LOOK SOMETHING
LIKE THIS ONCE IT IS FINALIZED.

11. PATRONS WANT TO HELP US SAVE MONEY
 Please let them know that selecting E-
mail, Text or Telephone can help the library
save money on postage.
 When they help us to save money, there is
more money for materials and services!
“Help the library save money & get your
notices by email, text message or phone.”

12. REVIEW
 We have added a choice of receiving Text Messages
on library card registration forms and in TLC.
 You must enter the cell phone number & carrier
before setting notifications.
 Make these changes as you issue new or renew
cards.
 The library does not charge for text messaging but
the carrier might.
 Help save the library dollars by selecting anything but
paper notices whenever possible.
 This will begin soon and you will be notified.

13. QUESTIONS?
Please talk with your supervisor.