ask
What is the Shoutbomb service?
What kinds of messages are available
with the Shoutbomb Services?
What do I need to use the Shoutbomb
service?
How do I know if my phone works with
the Shoutbomb service?
What do I do if I do not get a reply
from the Shoutbomb services?
Can I choose which of the available
messages* are delivered by the Shoutbomb service?
How do I sign up for the Shoutbomb
service?
How do I text and email address?
How do I
text and email address with an iPhone?
How do I request a list of items I
have on hold?
How do I request a list of overdue
items?
How do I use SMS in a language other than English?
About
What is the Shoutbomb service?
This service allows the library to
send messages to all text messaging enabled phones. In addition, patrons
can send text messages, using pre-selected keywords, to the Shoutbomb service
requesting additional information from the library
What kinds of messages are available with the Shoutbomb Services?
The Shoutbomb service can send the
following types of messages:
·
Courtesy
Notice, this is a reminder that library items are due in the next few days
·
Overdue
Notice, this is a reminder that library items are overdue
·
Fees/Fines
Notice, this is a reminder that there are Fees or Fines due for payment
·
Hold
Notice, this is a reminder that library items placed on hold are now available
for pickup
·
Renewal,
this is a reminder that library items are due in the next few days and you can
renew them (automatically turned on when you register)
What do I need to use the Shoutbomb service?
A text messaging capable phone
is required
·
Subscription
to text messaging (Confirm with your cell phone service plan)
·
Cell
phone must be able to send a text message to an email address.
How do I know if my phone works with the Shoutbomb service?
Send a text message with only
the keyword TEST to PLS@shoutbomb.com. You
should receive a short message “Test Successful”. This message indicates
that your phone will work with the Shoutbomb service.
If you receive a message, “This service is not compatible with your
phone. We are aware of your issue and will reply shortly with more
information.” Please, send an email to PLS.support@shoutbomb.com and tell
us the make/model of your phone and your cell phone service provider.
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.
What do I do if I do not get a reply from the Shoutbomb services?
The Shoutbomb service processes all
request within 60 seconds of receiving your message.
·
We
cannot guarantee timely delivery of your message to us. Your
provider is responsible for delivering your message once you send it. Most
providers deliver the messages promptly.
·
We
cannot guarantee timely delivery of our message to you. Your
provider is responsible for delivering our message once we send it. Most
providers deliver the messages promptly.
1.
Wait
and see if the reply arrives.
2.
If
after 4 hours, you still have not received a reply, and then send the keyword
RESEND to PLS@shoutbomb.com.
3.
You
can only use the RESEND command once per day. This limitation is in place to
protect from spam messages. 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.
Can I choose which of the available messages* are delivered by the
Shoutbomb service?
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.
·
Courtesy
Notice, the keyword is REMINDER
·
Overdue
Notice, the keyword is OVERDUE
·
Fees/Fines
Notice, the keyword is FEES
·
Hold
Notice, the keyword is PICKUP
·
Renewal,
the keyword is RENEW (automatically turned on when you register)
·
*Your library may not subscribe to
all available message types
What languages are supported?
The initial release of the SMS
software supports English and Spanish. Additional languages will be added
depending on high demand.
How To
How do I sign up for the Shoutbomb service?
Send
a text message with only the keyword SIGNUP to PLS@shoutbomb.com
1. You will receive a reply
asking you for your library card number. Reply with only the information
requested.
·
If
library card number is mistyped or a zero was accidentally omitted, error
message will be received asking for the number once again. Go back to your
original message and make sure the library card number entered is accurate,
make any necessary corrections and resend. If you resend the same number you
will not receive a reply (see FAQ “What do I do if I don’t get a reply?” for an
explanation)
2. If the library card number is valid,
you will receive a message asking for your email address.
3. Please reply with an email address
or reply with NOMAIL. You will receive one final message completing the
process.
How do I report an issue?
If you are experiencing any issues
with the SMS service or you would like to make a suggestion for improvement,
please send your comments to
How do I text and email address?
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 to the newly created contact
How do I text and email
address with an iPhone?
On
the To: type the number 121, in the body types PLS@shoutbomb.com (space) then type the message.
How do I request a list of items I have on hold?
If 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.
How do I request a list of overdue items?
If there are overdue items, you will
receive a notification via text message. You have the option to reply with key
phrase OL, which is an abbreviation of overdue list. You will receive one or
more messages that contain the title of the overdue items. In order to save on
space we limit the length of the titles to 25 characters. 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.
How do I use SMS in a language other than English?
In order to use a language other
than English 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
|
English |
Spanish |
|
SIGNUP |
REGISTRESE |
|
QUIT |
SALIR |
|
REMINDER |
RECORDATORIO |
|
OVERDUE |
ATRASADO |
|
FEES |
TASAS |
|
PICKUP |
RECOGER |
|
RENEW (automatically turned on
when you register) |
RENOVAR (automatically turned on when
you register) |
|
RESEND |
RESEND |
*Your library may not subscribe
to all available message types.
How do I quit?
If you would like to discontinue our
service all that is required is to send the word QUIT to PLS@shoutbomb.com
. You will receive a reply from the system informing you that the account has
been deleted and no future messages should be expected