Notices, sending by text message
About
The Text4Libraries service is available for all patrons to receive hold pick-up, courtesy, first and second overdue notices by text message: This service will begin for MORE libraries on January 28, 2025.
To opt a patron in to this services there are two steps:
First, enter the patron notice preference to ‘t’ – TEXT MESSAGE
Second, insert a TEXT MESSAGE NUMBER field and enter the patron cell phone number.
Timing of sent text notices
Text notices will go out to patrons twice every day around 9 am and 5 pm. It is independent from phone notices and email notices.
Overdue: text messages will be delivered to patrons starting at 9 am for items overdue as of 6 am that day
Due soon: text messages will be delivered to patrons starting at 9 am for items due the next day. These messages will include an option to renew via text
Holds ready for pickup: text messages will be delivered to patrons throughout the day as holds become ready for pickup. Specifically:
- At 9 am for items checked in and ready for pickup after 3 pm the prior day
- At 1 pm for items checked in and ready for pickup before noon the same day
- By 5 pm for items checked in and ready for pickup between noon and 3 pm the same day
Text notices will be delivered from 844-218-6064.
Patrons cannot receive both a text message and a phone call, or a text message and an email. Patrons can only receive one notice type: phone, email, or text.
Handling Undelivered Text Messages
The email address at each library that receives messages about bounced email and phone notices will receive an email about text notices that were not delivered successfully. The email may look like this:
7158395080 | 26420004223703 | IFLS | Renew item message
7158395080 | 26420004223703 | IFLS | Hold item message
7158395080 | 26420004223703 | IFLS | Overdue item message
Here are some possible steps to handle undelivered text messages.
- Check to see if there are any undelivered text messages for your patrons.
- Review the patron record to check that the notice preference is ‘t’ – TEXT MESSAGE and that there is a TEXT MESSAGE NUMBER field present.
- Call the patron to verify the Text Message Number.
- Verify the patron has not blocked texts received from 844-218-6064.
- Insert a Message field in the patron record that says “Verify TEXT MESSAGE NUMBER” with staff initials and date. This message should be removed when the number is verified with the patron.