AT&T recently announced that as of June 17, 2025, it will discontinue its email-to-text and text-to-email services (AT&T Support). This decision is a major shift for organizations like libraries still rely on outdated email-to-SMS gateways to send text notifications. If you don’t know what kind of protocol your library is using, it most likely is email-to-SMS gateway.
Without a direct, compliant SMS platform, libraries may experience undelivered notifications, delayed communications, and frustrated patrons. Many already struggle with SMS deliverability issues, and as major carriers continue to phase out old systems, these challenges will only grow.
New 10-DLC compliant systems are the only way that libraries will be able to continue to communicate with patrons via SMS. While it is possible that libraries can set up the system themselves, it involves a lot of hurdles and registration that often require dedicated staff to maintain.
How Unique Has Already Solved This Challenge
Libraries don’t have to wait until the 2025 cutoff to fix SMS deliverability issues—Unique has already helped institutions modernize their patron notifications.
For example, Fort Worth Public Library (FWPL) faced severe SMS deliverability issues in early 2024, with only 41% of messages reaching patrons due to outdated email-to-SMS gateway methods. By implementing MessageBee’s 10-DLC compliant SMS notifications, FWPL improved its deliverability rate to 91.1% in just a few months (Case Study).
Similarly, Wichita Falls Public Library transitioned to MessageBee’s fully integrated SMS notifications, ensuring timely, reliable communication with patrons (Read more).
Why SMS Solutions Like MessageBee Are the Future
With email-to-text gateways becoming obsolete, libraries must move to direct, carrier-approved SMS solutions. MessageBee ensures:
✅ Reliable message delivery (no reliance on outdated email gateways)
✅ Compliance with carrier regulations (avoiding blocks and filtering)
✅ Seamless integration with existing library systems
✅ Enhanced patron engagement with real-time notifications
Don’t Wait for 2025—Upgrade Your Library’s SMS Solution Now
Libraries that act now will be ahead of the curve, preventing disruptions in patron communication. MessageBee is already solving these challenges, helping libraries send overdue notices, hold pickup alerts, and event reminders without deliverability issues.
Want to future-proof your library’s communication strategy? Learn more or get in touch here