It's amazing how many library tools are out there that go completely unnoticed even though they can be quite useful. Case in point: The Library Elf. I don't know how long it's been around, but I just heard about it not to long ago.
Basically, if your library is part of it, you can set up your card with the library elf and recieve email and txt messages reminding you to turn in books. The only thing that disappoints me about the service is why libraries have to outsource to an elf! Libraries should have been doing this kind of stuff years ago! As it stands, I know of very few libraries who even bother to send out emails to their patrons telling them about new and upcoming library programs...it's a free way to keep users informed, and way too many libraries have completely ignored it...
Friday, May 9, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
2 comments:
Great post! I don't know if you're familiar with it, but the Free Library of Philadelphia has a great online setup. If you register your library card, then from the website you can put books on hold (although I can't say too much about the branches' efficiency for finding said books...) and renew the books you've taken out. You get a reminder to return your books three days before they are due, and once they're overdue they start sending you invoices. You can also get calendars of events sent through RSS, by type or branch.
yeah, i think most libraries don't use ELF (which has been around quite awhile) because most OPACs now have the option to send out renewal notices by email. i remember looking into ELF when it first came out and i was concerned about privacy issues.
Post a Comment