On May 22, 2008, at 10:00 PM, Dyer, Renata wrote:

> I am keen on finding out whether there are libraries out there that
> have
> developed a good way to manage email alerts your library is subscribed
> to. ...

I'm not sure this is exactly what you're talking about, but in case it
is...

One approach we're very actively investigating is inserting, into
email alerts we receive, a customized link that, when clicked by the
user, would take them to a server-page under our control that would do
good things.

Example...

We have a nicely automated system allowing users to find an item they
want through WorldCat, request it, and then have that request
automatically submitted to a series of consortial borrowing systems.
Let's say the BorrowDirect consortial system reports it has the item.
Fine; the item is automatically requested, and our easyBorrow system
emails the user that the item is on its way.

But then let's say that the item turns out to be missing (I've heard
this happens in some library systems with surprising frequency). At
that point BorrowDirect emails the user that the request has been
cancelled, and the user is very, very confused. We wish we could have
those emails sent to an address that we could automatically process --
but this and a couple of other systems we partner with don't allow
that.[1]

We do, though, have some control over the content of that email. So
we're trying to get a dynamic link inserted into that email that
contains our easyBorrow request number. The idea is that the user
would be presented with a message akin to: "Turns out the book wasn't
available at the initial source; click here and we'll get it for you
from another source." That link would go to a server-page we control
which would resubmit the request, specifying, in this example, not to
re-query BorrowDirect.
---

[1] If we could specify the email address, we'd likely set up an
address like [log in to unmask], and automate a unix-
process to scrape the relevant information from the email, and
automatically process it so the user wouldn't receive the confusing
message.

---
Birkin James Diana
Programmer, Integrated Technology Services
Brown University Library
[log in to unmask]


> I am keen on finding out whether there are libraries out there that
> have
> developed a good way to manage email alerts your library is subscribed
> to.
>
>
>
> Our library is subscribed to around 130 email alerts that are
> delivered
> to our inbox.  Many of these emails need to be actioned in different
> ways.  In some cases, a  staff member needs to save an electronic file
> and add it to the collection. In other cases,  an email  is  generated
> and forwarded to the group of clients. There are lots of small steps
> involved in managing each one of those alerts and the whole area has
> become quite challenging to manage over the time.
>
>
>
> Does you library subscribe to emails at all?
>
>
>
> Do you have a tool to manage the processes involved?
>
>
>
> Do you use a system/software to manage these alerts? Or just to manage
> the distribution list if required? If no, do you know of any
> (preferably
> open source) that can do the job?
>
>
>
> I appreciate any experience you may be willing to share.
>
>
>
> Many thanks,
> Renata Dyer
> Systems Librarian
> Information Services
> The Treasury
> Langton Crescent, Parkes ACT 2600 Australia
> (p) 02 6263 2736
> (f) 02 6263 2738
> (e) [log in to unmask]