Community Corner

MOCO Libraries End Telephone Renewals and Notifications

Have you been receiving library notifications over the phone? Be sure to sign up with an email soon, as telephone service has ended.

If you are currently relying on phone notification from Montgomery County Public libraries, be sure to update your info with an email or phone number for text messaging. Phone service ended Aug. 2.
If you are currently relying on phone notification from Montgomery County Public libraries, be sure to update your info with an email or phone number for text messaging. Phone service ended Aug. 2. (Colleen Martin/Patch)

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Library patrons can no longer renew books or receive library notifications over the phone. The service ended Aug. 2, and libraries are asking people who used to rely on the telephone service to sign up for email or text notifications.

“Our contract with the vendor who provided these telephone services is expiring very soon," said MCPL Director Anita Vassallo. "As we have already implemented automatic renewal and provide notifications via text and email, the decision was made not to seek a replacement contract.”

All of the Montgomery County libraries have now reopened, since they closed during the pandemic. Some still remain closed for renovation projects. The last of the libraries reopened on July 6.

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All public libraries ended the Hold-to-Go service, which let patrons check out books with contactless pickup during the pandemic.

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