Butte County Library offers email notices for customers

New system saves money, increases staff efficiency, and enhances communication

 Beginning June 28, 2007, Butte County Library customers will instantly know when books or videos they have requested are available for pickup.

Previously, notices have only been delivered by telephone, which is time consuming for library staff, or by mail, which has become more costly with recent postage rate increases. Mail and phone notices also take much longer to reach customers who are eagerly awaiting popular items, like the new Harry Potter book coming out this July.

“Library users’ expectations have changed because of the instant gratification provided by many internet services. This new technology hits the trifecta of better, cheaper, and faster. It serves customers better, while saving money and increasing staff efficiency, all at once,” said Derek Wolfgram, Butte County Library Director.

The new email notices will be sent to customers as soon as a book is scanned into the Library’s computer system. Thousands of library cardholders have provided their email addresses to the Library in anticipation of email notices becoming available.

An increasing number of library users request items through the Library’s web site. Once items arrive, patrons can make a quick visit to pick up requests without needing to look up numbers on a computer or scan shelves for a book. Online holds also provide access to books requested from other Butte County Library branches, and they allow people to be placed on a waiting list when the requested item is not available.

Customers can sign up for email notices online by adding or updating email addresses at the View My Library Account page. Online account access does require a library card and a customer-selected PIN, available from any Butte County Library branch.