Save Money@your library

Here is one of my favorite Web 2.0 tools. It is convenient and saves me money! I often have materials out from more than one library and with this tool, someone else reminds me of what is due when and where. Handy.

LibraryElf is an Internet-based tool for keeping track of what's due, overdue and ready for pickup at your library. Users can keep track of one or more library accounts in one place and receive reminders. Reminders are sent when the user wants it -- before items are due (up to seven days advance notice, weekly notice, or everyday reminders). For families or anyone who'd like reminders before an item is due (user-selectable number of days notice). This is a third-party application (not developed/supported by the library or its circulation system vendor). If LibraryElf is for you, sign up for an account.

Some people are concerned about privacy with this service. In theory, you could put in someone else’s library barcode and their PIN (since in most libraries it is set as the last four digits of your phone number) and then see what they are reading. Just why I would want to do that, I am not sure. And, I can change my PIN to a different number if I want to. So, I use ELF and I love it. I did about these issues, but I decided that I was willing to accept the potential risk of privacy loss for the convenience of the service. As soon as my libraries start offering RSS and or other easy reminders on my account, I'll gladly use that rather than my Elf account. Unfortunately, I don't see that happening any time soon.

All Twin Cities area library systems are compatible with Elf.