Frequently Asked Questions

If you would like to discontinue the text messaging alerts service all that is required is to send the word QUIT to pls@shoutbomb.com You will receive a reply asking for your barcode and pin number. If both are valid, the system will inform you that the account has been deleted and no future messages should be expected.

Currently, Shoutbomb is only available in English and Spanish. In order to text in Spanish the appropriate keyword that corresponds to the English equivalent must be utilized. Below are the Spanish translations for each of the English keywords.

Note: In some cases the keywords are always in English.

If there are items to renew, you will receive a notification via text message. You have the option to reply with the key phrase RL, which is an abbreviation of renewal list. You will receive one or more messages that contain the title of the overdue items. In order to save on space, the length of the titles is limited to 25 characters. Allowing enough characters to identify the item while reducing the number of messages received.

If there are items on hold that are available to be picked up you will receive a notification via text message. You have the option to reply with the key phrase HL, which is an abbreviation of hold’s list. Once HL is texted, you will receive one or more messages that contain the title of the items on hold. In order to save on space, the length of the titles is limited to 25 characters. Allowing enough characters to identify the item while reducing the number of messages received.

On the "To": type the number 121, in the body type pls@shoutbomb.com (space) then type the message.

Create a new contact and instead of adding a phone number add pls@shoutbomb.com. Give the contact a name that will be easy to remember, for example “library text”. Text the newly created contact as you would text any other contact.

If you are experiencing any issues with the service or you would like to make a suggestion for improvement, please text/email your comments to PLS.support@shoutbomb.com.

The initial release of the software supports English and Spanish. Additional languages will be added depending on demand.

By default each message type is turned on and eligible for delivery once you sign up. No further action is required. However, each message type delivered by the Shoutbomb service can be turned off any time after you sign up.

Each message type has its own keyword and sending a text message with only this keyword to pls@shoutbomb.com will turn each message type off. Sending the same keyword in text message again will turn it back on.

Keywords:

• FEES - for Fees/Fines Notice.
• HOLDS - for Hold Notice.
• RENEW - for Renewal Notice.

Regular Commands:

• SIGNUP + card# + PIN# - Registers for text messaging service.
• TEST - Tests your connection to Shoutbomb service.
• RENEW - Toggles 2-day due date warnings on or off. (automatically turned on when you register)
• HOLDS - Toggles hold notices on or off. (automatically turned on when you register)
• FEES - Toggles notification of when fees have been added to your account on or off. (automatically turned on when you register)
• OVERDUE - Overdue notice Opt In/Out
• IOWEU - Display Fines and Fees
• RESEND - Resends last message from Shoutbomb.
• HL - Request a list of items currently on hold.
• RA - Request to renew all eligible items.
• RL - Request a list of current items eligible for renewal.
• RI - Request a list of current items not eligible for renewal.
• RW - Request a list of reasons items not eligible for renewal.

Advanced Commands:

• ISBN - Texting ISBN + a 10- or 13-digit ISBN number searches library catalog for book.
• UPC - Texting UPC+12 digit UPC number searches library catalog for media.
• ADDCARD + card# + PIN# - Request another library card be added to your existing user profile. No limit on the number of additional cards.
• DROPCARD + card# + PIN# - Request to delete an additional library card number.
• ZIPCODE - Request to update users profile with zipcode of their home library.
• ADDEMAIL + email address - Request to update users profile with an email address.
• DROPMAIL - Request to update users profile by deleting existing email address.
• NOTICES - Request for current [on/off] status of RENEW, HOLDS and FEE notices.
• HELP - Request detailed description and how-to use each keyword.
• QUIT + card# + PIN# - Stop this text notices service.
• SWITCHPHONE - Change the phone number receiving texts.

The Shoutbomb service processes all requests within 60 seconds of receiving your message. If you do not receive a reply do the following:

1. Wait at least 4 hours and see if the reply arrives.
2. If after 4 hours, you still have not received a reply, send the keyword RESEND to pls@shoutbomb.com. You can only use the RESEND command once per day. This limitation is in place to protect from spam messages.
3. If you do not receive a reply after 3 attempts over three days, then send an email detailing your issue to pls.support@shoutbomb.com.

Note: We cannot guarantee timely delivery of your message to us nor timely delivery of our message to you. Your provider is responsible for delivering outgoing and incoming messages once they are sent. Most providers deliver the messages promptly.

You’ll need a text messaging capable phone, subscription to text messaging (confirm with your cell phone service plan) and your cell phone must be able to send a text message to an email address.

Send a text message with only the keyword TEST to pls@shoutbomb.com. You should receive a short reply message “Test Successful”. This message indicates that your phone will work with the Shoutbomb service.

If you receive a reply, telling you that we could not understand your message this typically means you sent a keyword in the wrong format. For example, SIGNUP is correct while SIGN UP is not. Keywords must be one word only – no spaces or punctuation.

Sometimes library notifications go into your spam/junk folder, even if you have gotten them in the past. This is due to the nature of spam/junk filters and email providers’ efforts to stem the tide of spam/junk mail. As spammers change up their methods, so too must email providers.

Library notices are sent out every morning around 5:00 AM from library-notices@plsinfo.org. Please add the address to your email providers’ contacts and the messages will always be recognized as a valid and not sent to spam/junk.

If you have checked your spam/junk folder and the notifications aren't there:

• Email providers have different rules for handling spam/junk mail up to and including deleting it. Also, if you are using an email reader app (Apple Mail, Thunderbird, Outlook full version, etc.) it will have its own spam/junk mail filter as well, so the above workaround will need to be set both in the app and your email provider.

I added library-notices@plsinfo.org to my contacts but I'm still not getting library notices:

• At this point we recommend you contact your email provider about the issue.

Notifications are available through email, automated phone calls or text messaging.

By including your email address in your account, you choose to receive notifications by email instead of by phone. This includes notifications for holds and materials nearing their due date.

We email courtesy reminders two days before the due date for all materials. Returning or renewing material by the due date is the cardholder’s responsibility.

If you do not have an email address in your account, we'll send you automated phone notifications of holds and overdue materials.

You can sign up for text messaging alerts from the Shoutbomb service. See below.