Notices for Public Libraries
What are notices?
Notices are a key way to communicate with borrowers. They tell borrowers about library business that needs to be taken care of, like overdue items or requested items that are ready for pickup. Most notices are follow-ups on library business, however, preoverdue notices are sent out early to let borrowers know that their items are due soon.
What formats are used?
Patrons can receive notifications by email, text message, or postal mail. Patrons can choose their preferred format in Enterprise or the SELCO library app. Library staff can also enter their preference in the borrower record in Horizon.
How do libraries manage notices?
The basic workflow for notices involves running Notices Review and possibly Notices Output in Horizon on a regular basis. Having said that, different types and formats of notices differ in how they are generated and sent. Much also depends on the policies and procedures in each library.
IMPORTANT: Generating notices is not the same as sending notices. Generating notices simply means that the notices are created in Horizon. They are not printed or sent via email/text until some other action is taken. Usually, this action must be taken by library staff but sometimes it is done automatically by Horizon. We will describe how each type of notice is generated and sent throughout the rest of this manual.
Running Notices
A library needs to let patons know when a Hold is available, or when an item is overdue or lost, or if they owe fines. Notices are a form of communication. Each library uses various Notices - a printed letter, email, SMS (text) or phone call. Every day as borrowers check in and checkout, and Delivery drops off and picks up materials, the status of items and borrowers change constantly. For a library to communicate these notices with their borrowers, the library needs to review their notices on a regular basis.
There are two parts to Auto Notices: Notice Review and Notice Output.
Notice Review
Training with videos can be found on niche academy
In the left hand navigation window in horizon select the Circulation folder and open Circulation Reports
Select the Notices dropdown menu and then Notice Review. It may take a while to generate.
Here is a Notices for Review screen. At the bottom of the screen you have options to Sort or Display as you would like.
Note: If you would like to customize this window, Contact the Help Desk.
Sort by what order you want each column:
Display the columns you want to see.
Highlight the notices you wish to send. Click Edit
Confirm that you do wish to make a batch change with OK
Click “Print hardcopy notice”. Despite the name, this will also send email notifications to those borrowers who are notified by email.