This is a free service offered to anyone registered at an Allegheny County public library. Depending on your cellular phone plan, additional per-message charges may be assessed by your carrier.
- Add (412) 459-7442 to your cellphone contacts. This is not required, but it is recommended.
- Simply text SIGNUP+your-14-digit-barcode+PIN to (412) 459-7442.
Please note, you must include the plus signs (+) between each element of the text.
Once you sign up, you will receive texts confirming your successful sign up and asking if you want to supply an email address as an additional contact. This is optional and will only be used to contact you in the event that your notices are undeliverable.
Notice Type | Keyword | Default | |
Hold pickup | HOLDS | Enrolled | |
Renewal | RENEW | Enrolled | |
Overdue | OVERDUE | Enrolled | |
Late Fee | LATEFEE | Not Enrolled |
Additionally, all registered users will receive library card expiration notices 30 days before their library cards expire.
Text notifications are supplemental to existing notification methods (phone, email, regular mail) and you will continue to receive notices via these methods when you sign up for this service.
To renew all checked out items, text the keyword RA.
Hold Pickup Notices
Late Fee Notices
Renewal Notices
Overdue Notices
Library Card Expiration Notices
If you have just changed carriers (for example, from AT&T to Verizon).
If your phone number has changed.
Once you provide this information, you will receive 2 messages: one confirming the update of your user account and one looking up any messages sent in the last 7 days to redeliver.
You will be asked to text the additional library card number you wish to add. If this is a valid card number, you will then be prompted to text the PIN associated with this library card number. If the PIN is valid you will receive a text confirming that you have successfully added the new card.
If multiple secondary cards were added, you will receive a response that associates each card number with an item number (1, 2, 3, etc.). Just respond with the item number associated with the barcode you wish to drop.
You will receive a confirmation message indicating that you have successfully removed the card.
To receive information about your library account, text the following keywords to (412) 459-7442.
Keyword | Description |
SIGNUP+your-14-digit-barcode+PIN | Sign up for text notices. Note that the plus signs (+) are required. |
TEST | Test your connection to the SMS service. |
HL | Request a list of items on hold. |
OL | Request a list of overdue items. |
OA | Renew all overdue items. |
OI | List overdue items not eligible for renewal. |
RI | List of all items not eligible for renewal. |
RW | List of items not eligible for renewal and why. |
RA | Renew all checked out items. |
RL | Renew individual items by list. |
ADDEMAIL+your-14-digit-barcode | Add an email address for additional verification. |
DROPEMAIL+your-14-digit-barcode | Remove email from card. |
ADDCARD+14-digit-barcode | Add an additional library barcode to your text notice account. |
DROPCARD+14-digit-barcode | Remove any secondary library barcode from your text notice account. |
HELP | Lists keywords. |
RESEND | Sends last message. |
QUIT+your-14-digit-barcode | Unsubscribe from text notification service. |
SWITCHPHONE | Change your phone number. |
MYCARDS | Lists registered cards. |