Patrons can receive hold pickup and overdue notifications via email, phone, and/or text. A patron has a default notification setting. It can be set by staff in the patron record or by the patron in their account. A patron can opt for a different method when placing a hold.

If a library opts into automatic renewal, its patrons receive email notifications about renewals no matter which notification method they have chosen.

Overdue notice intervals

  • First overdue notice is sent at 7 days overdue, changed from 14 days overdue
  • Second overdue notice is sent at 21 days overdue, changes from 28 days overdue
  • Lost notice is sent (by email and print only) at 30 days overdue, changed from 60 days overdue
    • On the day the item goes to lost, an email notice is generated and sent to the patron who checked out the item.
    • After 7 days, if an item is still marked lost, a print notice is generated so checkout library staff can retrieve and send it.

Contact the help desk to request changes.

Email

A patron who opts for email also receives a notice if a hold is cancelled, as well as a notice identifying automatically-renewed items and a courtesy reminder 3 days before items are due.

Setup: In User Settings, check the EMAIL option. To use an email address other than the default, enter an email address.

An email hold notice is sent 5 hours after a hold is made available.

Phone

Calls are made 7 days a week in either English or Spanish.

The patron phone number is dialed 3 times throughout the day and the next day, in the event the phone is not answered by a person or a machine.

Hold notification text: Your local library may have special steps for checking out items. Please contact them to make arrangements for pickup. Thank you.

Setup: In User Settings, check the PHONE option. The system will use the phone number entered in the Day Phone field. To use a phone number other than the default, enter a 10-digit number.

Telephone notices – which also include overdue and other notices – are generated by a script that runs overnight. Once a hold is made available, it should be checked out to the patron for pickup the following day.

SMS Text

Setup: In User Settings, check the SMS option. Enter 10-digit cell phone number with numbers only – no spaces or punctuation. Choose a Carrier.

The text notice runs 30 minutes after the hold is made available.

“Library by phone” or telecirc

A patron with an active library card and a PIN can call 914-674-4169 anytime for English or Spanish options to

  • get a list of checked out items
  • get a list current holds
  • renew items
  • customize their name