The Chicago-area SWAN library consortium has implemented MessageBee for their patrons for 2023.
The 100-location collection of libraries will now be able to send automatic notifications to their patrons. MessageBee comes with both transactional (hold, predue, overdue, etc) notices as well as newsletter and list funtionality. SWAN Libraries is implementing SMS text messaging with MessageBee, so patrons will be able to customize how they are notified. SMS with MessageBee offers clear, simple messages from library-specific numbers.
SWAN Library System boasts over 1,000,000 users, and each of the locations within the system can customize their email templates. This means each library will send messages with library-specific branding, making the transition seamless.
From the SWAN press release:
The MessageBee service will have the following goals:
- Each library will have its own email notices with unique branding, links, and promotions
- MessageBee will become the service for all library’s email, SMS, and automated voice notifications
- All libraries will have access to a web-based portal to modify its email templates, view status reports on the success or failure of email, SMS, and voice notifications
More about MessageBee
MessageBee has three different ways to communicate with your patron base. SMS alerts get in front of more of your patrons with simple and understandable messaging. MessageBee email takes boring and confusing ILS-generated email notifications and turns it into a patron engagement tool with a simple drag-and-drop design. Phone notifications from MessageBee means that your patrons that prefer the personal touch of a recorded or voice-to-text phone message still can get their updates.
Read more: “We are so much happier with MessageBee!” How Unique unlocked data for this Virginia library | Unique Library
