Patron Tutorial on Changing Messaging Preferences on the OPAC

by Kelly McElligott on Jan 14, 2019

What are Messaging Preferences?

Every library can and probably does send emails, text messages and possibly snail mail to their users! Have you ever received an email telling you that a book you placed on hold was ready to pick up? Or that an item you checked out was due in a few days? These are what is known as messages in Koha.

Libraries know that patrons get a lot of emails, snail mail and even too many text messages these days - so they can give their library patrons the opportunity to add and remove specific messages that they are receiving from the library.

Changing the Messaging Preferences

For a patron to change their messaging preferences, they will need to log into their Public Catalog. Once the account is logged into, on the far left of the screen, there is a tab called Your Messaging. Clicking this tab, will present the patron the ability to see the messages that the library sends and also the ability to adjust these messages.

Messaging Options

Item Due- this is a message that will be sent the day the item/s are due.

Advance Due- this is a message that will be sent x number of days before the item/s are due. The patron may choose the number of days in advance they would like to receive this message.

Holds- this is a message that will be sent when an item that was placed on hold by the patron is ready to be picked up at the library.

Item Checkin- this is a message that will be sent to show everything that was checked in.

Item Checkout- this is a message that will be sent to show everything that was checked out.

There are check-mark boxes that can used to determine which messages the patron would / would not like to receive. A do not notify box is listed on each message option that can also be checked if the patron would like no notifications.

SMS Messaging

At the bottom of this page, there may also be the ability to add your cell phone number and cell carrier to also receive SMS messages. This is a column option on the messaging chart also- and will only be seen if the library is using this feature.

If your library does have this feature, please choose which carrier you are using in addition to your cell phone number- without the carrier information, the message will not be sent.

Video Tutorial on Adjusting Messaging Preferences on the OPAC

For more Patron Tutorials - click here!