Yes, Pierce County Library System continues to offer books, magazines, newspapers and other printed pieces; however starting Jan. 1, 2010, the Library is going paperless when it comes to notifying customers about books and materials they’ve requested or reminders about overdue items.
“This direction truly will bring improved and more efficient customer service, is environmentally responsible, and a wiser use of tax payers’ dollars,” said Neel Parikh, the Library’s executive director. “This also moves us forward with our goal to bring more up-to-date services.”
The Library will still notify customers of items they’ve placed on hold. It will now notify people far faster and more efficiently using e-mail and phone. The majority of customers already use e-mail or phone as their preferred notification method. Only 17,000 of the Library’s 240,000 customers get notices via the mail.
In 2008 the Library sent 85,400 postcard notices for a cost of $28,000. The Library hopes this move to phone and e-mail notices will eliminate that cost.
A bonus with the e-mail notification is the Library tells customers the titles of the items ready for them to pick up and the Library automatically sends an e-mail reminder a few days before those items are due.
To change their notifications to telephone or e-mail, people should call 253-536-6500, ext. 121, e-mail helpdesk@piercecountylibrary.org or visit any of the 17 Pierce County Libraries and library staff will help them.
Soon the Library plans to offer notices using text messaging.
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