Notice Examples
Due Date Notices (automated, electronic versions)
We have two types of electronic notices regarding checked out item due dates: PreDue notices and Overdue notices.
Predue Notices and Examples
Predue notices are sent 3 days before, 1 day before, and 8 days after an item is due. These notices are sometimes referred to as "reminders". Despite these being called "PreDue notices", one is in fact a "freshly overdue" notice. PreDue notices are optional for the patron.
Examples:
TEXT
- MFRL-Blacksburg: Reminder you have 1 items due tomorrow. my.mfrl.org Titles=Our castle by the sea
- MFRL-Christiansburg: Reminder you have 4 items due 3 days from now. my.mfrl.org Titles=Robocop,Supernatural,
Supernatural,Little house on the prairie
Titles will be displayed dependent upon number of remaining characters available in the text; texts are limited to 150 characters. Different types of PreDue notices are not combined. That is, if a patron has items that are due in three days, and items due in one day, they will receive two separate texts. These texts are sent at noon.
PHONE
- Hello, this is the Blacksburg Library calling for Peggy. This is your courtesy reminder that you have items due tomorrow and 3 days from now. You can check your account and renew items online at my.mfrl.org
- Hello, this is the Blacksburg Library calling for Chris. This is your courtesy reminder that you have items due 8 days ago. You can check your account and renew items online at my.mfrl.org
The above message is followed by "...message repeats..." and one repeat of the message. The repeat exists in case an answering machine or service starts recording after the message begins to play.
We don't list titles on Phone notifications due to privacy concerns. As shown above, different types of PreDue notices (three day, one day, etc.) are combined. These calls are sent at noon.
Emailed PreDues look very similar to eMailed OverDue notices. All titles and full descriptions are listed. Different types of PreDue notices are not combined. That is, if a patron has items that are due in three days, and items due in one day, they will receive two separate emails. These emails are sent during the 7AM hour.
OverDue Notices and Examples
These are sent on Wednesdays at 2 weeks and 4 weeks overdue. Additionally, a "3rd OverDue" bill is sent at 6 weeks, but it is always sent via USPS. The 2 and 4 weeks notices are sent via Email, Phone, Text, or USPS mailer. The USPS mailer is for those without phone or email services. Patrons can not opt out of receiving Overdue Notices.
Examples:
TEXT
- MFRL-BB: You have 1 2-week overdue item which was due on 01/01/2020. my.mfrl.org Titles=Julian is a mermaid...
- MFRL-CB: You have 3 4-week overdue items, the oldest was due on 01/01/2020. my.mfrl.org Titles=Julian is a merm...
- MFRL-CB: You have 6 2week-4week overdue items, the oldest was due on 01/01/2020. my.mfrl.org Titles=Julian is ...
Titles will be displayed dependent upon number of characters available in text. If applicable, the two-week and four-week notices are combined. These texts are sent on Wednesdays at 9AM.
PHONE
- Hello, this is the Blacksburg Library calling for Chris. This is your 4 week overdue notice. You have 1 overdue item, which was due on 05/01/2010. You can check your account and renew items online at my.mfrl.org
- Hello, this is the Floyd Library calling for Yanni. This is your 2 week and 4 week overdue notice. You have 6 overdue items, the oldest was due on 05/01/2010. You can check your account and renew items online at my.mfrl.org
The above message is followed by "...message repeats..." and one repeat of the message. The repeat exists in case an answering machine or service starts recording after the message begins to play.
We don't list titles on Phone notifications due to privacy concerns. As shown above, different types of Overdue notices are combined. These calls are sent on Wednesdays at 9AM.
EMAIL
First and Second overdue emails are combined, as shown above. These emails are sent Wednesdays during the 6AM hour.
Hold Notices and Examples
TEXT
PHONE
Technical Scripts
Using variables, this is how notice messages are formed. This info is primarily for IT staff, though anyone might find it interesting.
PreDue Text:
MFRL-%B: Reminder you have %K item%P due %W. my.mfrl.org Titles=%T
Key: %B=Branch, %K=# of due, %O=date, %P=plural, %T=as much of titles as will fit.
PreDue Phone:
Hello, this is the %B Library calling for %N. This is your courtesy reminder that you have items due %O. You can check your account and renew items online at my.mfrl.org
Key: %B=Branch, %N=First Name, %O=8 days ago {and} tomorrow {and} 3 days from now (as many as are relevent)
OverDue Text:
MFRL-%B: You have %K %O overdue item%P was due on %D. my.mfrl.org Titles=%T
Key: %B=Branch, %K=# of overdues, %O=2-week|4-week|2week-4week, %P=plural=' which'|'s, the oldest', %D=oldest due date,%T=as much of titles as will fit.
OverDue Phone:
Hello, this is the %B Library calling for %N. This is your %O overdue notice. You have %K overdue item%P was due on %D. You can check your account and renew items online at my.mfrl.org
Key: %B=Branch, %K=# of overdues, %O=2 week|4 week|2 week and 4 week, %P=plural=' which'|'s, the oldest', %D=oldest due date
USPS Mailed Notices and Examples
While MFRL discourages USPS as a delivery method for notices, some still exist. The 3rd Overdue / Bill for Items Not Returned and High Balance notices are always sent via USPS.
- 1st Overdue Notice - still exists, but used infrequently.
- 2nd Overdue Notice - still exists, but used infrequently.
- 3rd Overdue / Bill for Items Not Returned
- High Balance Notice