Using technology to accommodate patrons

In an effort to communicate to library patrons using mobile technology, Peninsula Public Library now offers a text messaging service that informs people when a book is due and also gives them the option of renewing the title by sending a reply text message.

PPL Director Arleen Reo, said the library prides themselves on accommodating their 34, 000 patrons. “This is another service we’re able to offer because we have limited parking so we reach out to our patrons and try to accommodate them,” she said. “Any way we can serve them given the constraints of a small parking lot and only one community room. We also have an online overdrive book library and are spending budgetary funds on online resources.”

To sign-up to receive text-messaging alerts, Reo said library cardholders with existing accounts at PPL could do so by accessing their account online. To renew a book, the patron simply sends a reply text message saying “RENEW” which is then followed by confirmation text message to inform them of whether the book was able to be renewed or not.

Library Trustee Jeffrey Leb said text messaging is a way for library patrons to renew books without having to set foot inside the library. “Customer service takes priority,” he said. “Economically we make money off overdue books but when a book is overdue it’s an annoyance to the patron and it’s not fair for other library patrons waiting for a book (to become available.)”

Leb said the service is another example of the library keeping up with changing technology. “We’re just trying to make sure patrons have as many technological advances as possible,” he said. “As technology is bringing conveniences to people we would like to offer the same services to our patrons.”

Cedarhurst resident Don Miller said he signed up for the text message alerts in mid-December because of the convenience. “It enables library users to easily keep track of what they have out and keeps late return fees to a minimum,” he said. “Peninsula Public Library is definitely catching up to technology savvy consumers who need inventory and renewal information at their fingertips.”

Although the service just launched last month, Reo anticipates that numerous patrons will sign up for the text message alerts because 80 percent already use the library’s online services. “When people reserve books and request materials to come in from online, we’ve found that more and more patrons are notified via email rather than by calling them,” she said. “While there is a senior population that doesn’t utilize the technology, the younger ones are all about it.”