Jon, We have been doing this for a few years now - we only send them out by email and we send them 4 days before a 3 week loan is due and 2 days before a 1 week loan is due. We didn't measure whether there was an impact on fines revenue - we went ahead on the grounds that it was good customer care. The problem we have had with email notices - is that some of our customers email providers automatically reject them as SPAM and often they do not even appear in a customers bulk email folder. With some reconfiguration of the email server we have managed to get through to most of the big email providers (yahoo hotmail etc) but AOL remains a problem. The customers who get them really like them. HTH Alan Brown Library Systems Liaison Officer Resource Services Bury Libraries Textile Hall Manchester Rd Bury BL9 0DG Tel 0161 253 5877 Fax 0161 253 6003 http://www.bury.gov.uk/libraries http://library.bury.gov.uk -----Original Message----- From: Jon Scown [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 05 March 2008 16:00 Subject: Pre-overdues Hello all I originally posted this over a year ago and had a few replies, but I'm posting again as we didn't implement then but the issue has raised its head since and things may well have moved on in some authorities. I'd be interested to hear from any authorities who have tried sending out reminders to customers before items are due for return - usually known as pre-overdues - or even on the due date. The option is available to us through our LMS (DS OpenGalaxy) but before we consider doing it we'd like to know if anyone else has been brave enough to try this! The improved customer care is obvious but does it have a negative impact on fines income? Do you send out just by email or use SMS/Voicemail as well which has cost implications? Do you do this for all items or just books - is it necessary for 7 day loan items for example? Any other practical pros and cons? many thanks, and happy to summarise replies for the list as usual Jon Scown LibrariesWest Development Officer Tel: 01278 451201 ext 243 Mob: 07919540827 Post: Cultural Services Admin Centre, Mount St, Bridgwater TA6 3ES Email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> Web: www.librarieswest.org.uk <http://www.librarieswest.org.uk> This communication is intended solely for the person (s) or organisation to whom it is addressed. It may contain privileged and confidential information and if you are not the intended recipient (s), you must not copy, distribute or take any action in reliance on it. If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the sender and copy the message to [log in to unmask] Individuals are advised that by replying to, or sending an e-mail message to Somerset County Council, you accept that you have no explicit or implicit expectation of privacy. In line with the Surveillance and Monitoring Policy, any e-mail messages (and attachments) transmitted over the Council's network may be subject to scrutiny. Somerset County Council - An Excellent Four Star Authority ----------------------------------------------------------------- Why not visit our website www.bury.gov.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------- The information contained in this e-mail and any files transmitted with it is for the intended recipient(s) alone. It may contain confidential information that is exempt from the disclosure under English law and may also be covered by legal,professional or other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not copy, distribute or take any action in reliance on it. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify us immediately by using the reply facility on your e-mail system. If this message is being transmitted over the Internet, be aware that it may be intercepted by third parties. As a public body, the Council may be required to disclose this e-mail or any response to it under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 unless the information in it is covered by one of the exemptions in the Act. By responding to this e-mail you accept that your response may be subject of recording/monitoring to ensure compliance with the Council's ICT Security Policy. Electronic service accepted only at [log in to unmask] and on fax number 0161 253 5119 . *************************************************************