Two-Way Texting with the Catalog

 

3-29-2024

In my former life as an English teacher the importance of knowing your audience was a bit problematic as realistically regardless of how the assignment was crafted, I was always my students’ ultimate audience. Audience comes to mind with this article because today it is specifically patrons who use smart phones.

A few weeks ago, the IT Department for PLLS announced a new feature for patrons who receive library notifications via text messaging. In the past that the messages simply stated the patron had a hold or library materials were due in three days and directed the patron to log into the library catalog for further information.

These messages are sent automatically from the library catalog which is why limited information was provided and communication was one way. The new feature allows for the communication to become two ways through a very specific list of responses: LIST CHECKOUTS, LIST OVERDUE, LIST DUESOON, LIST HOLDS, LOST ALL HOLDS, RENEW OVERDUE, RENEW DUESOON. The purpose of each message, or command, is fairly self-explanatory. That doesn’t make them easy to remember.

Rather than have patrons frame this article for future reference the HELP message/command will provide a response that lists them and explains each one’s function. There is also a STOP command that will stop future messaging to that number. I wouldn’t recommend use of that command as unlike the political text messages drowning my phone right now, our catalog won’t find a new phone number from which to send holds and due soon notifications.

The abrupt discontinuation of service of the SHARE Anywhere app late last year may have given IT the push to pursue the texting feature. With SHARE Anywhere all that information was available by opening the app. SHARE Anywhere is functional again; however, it will not be updated moving forward. As might be expected, an alternative app whose developer will never pull access to is being developed. The hope is that it will be available by the end of this summer with full functionality by the end of 2024.

Knowing it has a limited life span, we’re not really advocating patrons download the SHARE Anywhere app. Why learn to rely on an app that is guaranteed not to have your back in the long run? If however, you don’t mind and go into the relationship with eyes open and promise not to judge future apps for being different, SHARE Anywhere is available for download through Google Playstore and the App Store.

Reading Now: The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis, People on Privilege Hill by Jane Gardman (Short stories including one about Old Filth's Edward Feathers)

Listening to Now: Trapped by Kevin Hearne (Book 5 of the Iron Druid series)