Posts by: Kevin Kernen

Staff Spotlight: Bonnie Lawrence

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When you meet Bonnie, you quickly realize she’s someone who has worn many hats in life—wife, mother, hairdresser, lunch lady, motivational speaker, comic, and now a certified Laughter Yoga Leader. “Laughter Yoga is this wonderful blend of yogic breathing and simulated laughter,” Bonnie explains. “What starts as ‘fake it till you make it’ turns into … Continue reading “Staff Spotlight: Bonnie Lawrence”

iOS 26: What Libraries Need to Know About Call & SMS Delivery

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iOS 26: What Libraries Need to Know About Call & SMS Delivery Apple’s iOS 26 update introduces new tools to help iPhone users manage unwanted calls and text messages. While these features can reduce spam for patrons, they may also impact how libraries communicate important information, from due date reminders to event notifications. At Unique … Continue reading “iOS 26: What Libraries Need to Know About Call & SMS Delivery”

Welcome New Neighbors with Unique’s New Mover Service

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Moving is overwhelming. Between unpacking boxes, changing addresses, and getting to know a new neighborhood, finding the local library may not even cross someone’s mind. That’s where your library can step in—not just as a resource but as a warm, personal welcome to their new community. The New Mover Service from Unique Library makes that … Continue reading “Welcome New Neighbors with Unique’s New Mover Service”

Staff Spotlight: Karen Robinson

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Meet Karen Robinson, our Manager of Administrative Services and a cornerstone of the Unique team. Karen is celebrating an incredible 25 years with Unique as of January 3, 2025. She started as our receptionist and has worn many hats along the way, growing alongside the company and helping shape its culture. Karen is a Louisville … Continue reading “Staff Spotlight: Karen Robinson”

Recommended Sending Criteria for Material Recovery

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By: Kelsy Heffley Recommended collection threshold: $25.00 If your library is like most libraries, you will find that the majority of patrons have a balance between $25 – $50. As you can imagine, we find that there are a lot more accounts with a smaller balance and fewer accounts with larger balances. Given the sheer … Continue reading “Recommended Sending Criteria for Material Recovery”

Seven More Libraries Launch MessageBee From Unique in August

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Allegany County Library System (MD), Greater Manchester Inter Library Consortial System (NH), Mohawk Valley Public Library (NY), San Juan Island Public Library (WA), Southern Adirondack Public Library (NY) and, Staunton Public Library (VA), and Yakima Valley Libraries (WA) have launched MessageBee this week, adding more communication channels for their patrons. Allegany County Library System in … Continue reading “Seven More Libraries Launch MessageBee From Unique in August”

Four Library Systems Launch MessageBee

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Four systems across the United States launch MessageBee, expanding patron communication tools and upgrading deliverability across email, SMS, and phone notices. Unique is proud to announce that four outstanding library systems have recently launched MessageBee, our modern, customizable notification platform, to better connect with their communities. These implementations represent a growing trend of libraries prioritizing … Continue reading “Four Library Systems Launch MessageBee”

CS Pro Tip: How Duplicate Accounts Can Impact Your Library

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by Haley Laverty Why Duplicate Library Accounts Matter Duplicate patron accounts can create more than just confusion—they can lead to lost materials, billing errors, and even legal complications. Let’s look at a common scenario: A patron had a library card years ago, checked out a few books, but life got hectic—they moved, lost the items, … Continue reading “CS Pro Tip: How Duplicate Accounts Can Impact Your Library”

CS Pro Tip: Benefits of Getting Patron Balances Down to Zero

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How exciting is a countdown to zero? For libraries, reaching zero in overdue balances isn’t just a milestone—it’s a win for patrons, staff, and the entire community. Getting long-overdue materials back into circulation benefits everyone, and Unique Management Services’ Gentle Nudge® Patron and Material Recovery service is designed to make it happen. A Win-Win for … Continue reading “CS Pro Tip: Benefits of Getting Patron Balances Down to Zero”

Four Library Systems Expand Their Partnership with Unique by Launching MessageBee

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Unique Management Services is proud to announce that four library systems have recently launched MessageBee, the all-in-one communication platform built specifically for public libraries. These new launches build on strong, long-term relationships between each library and Unique—further demonstrating the value of a trusted library partner in delivering modern, patron-focused service. Mid-Continent Public Library (MO) With … Continue reading “Four Library Systems Expand Their Partnership with Unique by Launching MessageBee”