About 2 years ago, the Cumberland County Library System was among the first library systems in Pennsylvania to start sending out our notices via email. This includes notices for overdue items, things that are ready for pick-up, or reminders that your items are due in two days.
This service has been a real favorite among our customers. In fact, it's probably one of the things that I receive the most favorable comments about each week.
Even better, not only have email notices become a customer favorite, but they have also resulted in some big savings for the library system. Since funding is getting tighter and we are busier than ever, finding ways to save staff time and money have become even more essential.
With email we've not only been able to reduce printing and mailing costs, but we've also been able to free up staff to do other things. Last year alone, we sent out about 320,000 email notices to customers. If we had mailed all those notices out, each one could have cost us $.42 in postage. That's a $134,000 savings right there in postage.
If you would like to try this service, fill out the form at:
http://cumberlandcountylibraries.org/forms.aspx?FID=67
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Weight Gain & Vision Loss: A Web Site is Born
As I reported earlier this spring, I haven't blogged much because of all the hours we were putting into the development of our new web site: http://cumberlandcountylibraries.org.
And, yes, the headline is true. Because of all the time I invested in the new web site, I've gained weight and had to get a new pair of glasses. (Perhaps the glasses aren't directly related, but it certainly felt that way!)
But, complaining aside, I have to report that I'm very, very excited about our new site -- both its new look and its functionality are light years beyond where we were with our old site. Plus, all of its features haven't been added yet. (For example, we expect to add the ability to pay fines and fees online this summer.)
In our initial testing with real users earlier this spring, comments were very favorable. But, we can always learn more from real people using it day in and day out.
The site should be live by the end of this week. Right now we are waiting for our new site to 'propagate' across the web. (Kind of puts me in mind of the old Star Trek episode "The Trouble with Tribbles".) Anyway, let me know your thoughts as you get your first look.
Our staff here have spent a lot of long hours trying to get it right for you. And, we hope it is!
And, yes, the headline is true. Because of all the time I invested in the new web site, I've gained weight and had to get a new pair of glasses. (Perhaps the glasses aren't directly related, but it certainly felt that way!)
But, complaining aside, I have to report that I'm very, very excited about our new site -- both its new look and its functionality are light years beyond where we were with our old site. Plus, all of its features haven't been added yet. (For example, we expect to add the ability to pay fines and fees online this summer.)
In our initial testing with real users earlier this spring, comments were very favorable. But, we can always learn more from real people using it day in and day out.
The site should be live by the end of this week. Right now we are waiting for our new site to 'propagate' across the web. (Kind of puts me in mind of the old Star Trek episode "The Trouble with Tribbles".) Anyway, let me know your thoughts as you get your first look.
Our staff here have spent a lot of long hours trying to get it right for you. And, we hope it is!
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