I have been online with my local library since they first offered the ability to dial-up via telnet . They've continued improving their online service since then, but one area they have seriously failed the user, IMHO, is in the lack of email notifications. Users can get notified when they have a hold ready (though not promptly so) or when they have books which are woefully overdue (IOW, when their account is on the way to the collections department). I have never understood why users could not be notified of impending due dates or other changes and events. Thanks to LibraryElf there is a solution!
The Literary Elves (c'mon, you KNOW you BELIEVE) have been busy zipping through bookshelves and virtual card catalogs at local libraries in the US and Canada and around the world and have produced their very own Web2.0-ish organizer (in function, if not appearance) called LibraryElf. Your account on LibraryElf allows you to track multiple library accounts for due dates, books on hold, hold expirations, and more. You can also keep track of your books through their RSS feature! That's great news for this library-dependent family! I confess we have personally funded the purchase of stacks of new books, no doubt, for no less than three local library systems by our excessive fines due to being disorganized and forgetful. (oh well, at least it's for a good cause). I am happy to report that LibraryElf features customized account settings for notification delivery frequency and method (email and/or rss feed), as well as a month-at-glance calendar with due dates highlighted and linked for more information. The thumbnail below is a sample of their notification email:
Ready to give it a whirl? Check out LibraryElf's list of participating libraries and sign up for a free account!
