SMS (Text) Messaging for Users

Modified on Fri, 26 Feb, 2021 at 6:57 PM

If your users would like to receive SMS (text) messages to their cell phone when a book on hold is received for them, or to notify them of overdue books, then you will need to follow the instructions below.

Please make sure that your users understand that if they do not have "text messaging" as part of their service they will be charged by their cell phone provider for the text message.

Normal fees from cell service providers are around .02 and .05 cents per text message.

Note: In order to receive email and SMS messages, you must insert the SMS account in the Address 2 - SMS field as shown in the image below.

To use SMS service:

Locate users record in Symphony WorkFlows
Insert SMS account into the Address 2 - SMS field as: [email protected] /
It is not necessary to use a 1 in front of the phone number, so an example would /

Under the Demographics tab in the user record, make sure the Notify by: field is set to SMS or SMS_EMAIL (if they want to receive both) as shown below:

Following these steps will allow your library user to receive text messages (SMS).

A confirmation email should be received by the user:

You are opted in to receive 100msg/mo of Public Library SMS. Msg&Data rates

may apply. Reply HELP for help. Reply STOP to cancel.

Listed below is the notice language users will receive via SMS:

Holds Requested materials are waiting for you at your Library.
Notice: Please return any overdue items to the library as soon as possible.
Final Notice: This is your only notice to return any overdue items to the library.
Courtesy Notice: Courtesy Notice for items due soon at your Library

Note: Once the user receives the first text message, they are automatically opted into the oplin SMS service. If for some reason your user is not receiving SMS messages, they may be blocked or have stopped the service mistakenly. To remove this block, the user must text 'UNSTOP' to 877-675-4632.

This is either due to a carrier block or patron texted STOP at some point.

Note: As a test to see if their carrier is blocked; the patron can send 'help' to 877-675-4632. If everything is OK, the patron will receive a message instantly like the following:

Msg&Data rates may apply. Get #msg/mo of Library text notices. Reply STOP to Cancel.

If the patron does not receive a message, this is an indicate that their carrier is either blocked or they have a STOP on their account.

Full OPLIN SMS information can be found here: https://oplin.ohio.gov/sms

Contact SEO at 1-877-552-4262 or submit a new ticket if you have any questions or comments.