Sign up for Text Message Notifications

Shoutbomb Messaging

Keep up-to-date with your library account on your mobile phone using the library’s Shoutbomb text messaging service.

  • Receive text notices about items available to pick up, items due soon, overdue items and fines.
  • Send a text to request a renewal and receive a text back with the result of your request.
  • Send a text to see your account’s expiration date.
  • Set up multiple library accounts on the same phone.

PLEASE NOTE: The library does not charge a fee for this service, but your cell phone plan’s regular text-messaging rates apply.

What you need

  • A text messaging-capable mobile phone
  • Subscription to text messaging (confirm with your cell phone service plan)
  • The fourteen digit barcode number from your InfoSoup library card
  • The PIN for your InfoSoup library account

To sign up, please follow the instructions below.

Sign up using your phone

  1. Text the word signup to 833 403 0523
  2. Then reply to the message from Shoutbomb with your library card number and PIN

Once your Shoutbomb registration has been completed, you will automatically get text notices about items available to pick up, items that are due soon, overdue items and fines. A text will be sent only when activity on your account triggers a message.

Frequently asked questions:

Will I be charged for this service? 

The library doesn’t charge a fee for this service, but your cell phone plan’s regular text messaging rates still apply. Check with your cell phone service provider to see the cost of text messages in your service plan.

How do I sign up for the Shoutbomb service? 

    1. Send a text message with only the keyword signup to 833 403-0523.
    2. You will receive a reply asking you for your library card number. If you receive a reply telling you that we could not understand your message, this typically means that the text was typed incorrectly. For example, signup is correct while sign up is not.
    3. Reply with only the information requested. If library card number is mistyped or a zero was accidentally omitted, an 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 “What do I do if I don’t get a reply?” for more info.)
    4. If the library card number is valid, you will receive a message asking for your PIN.
    5. If the PIN is valid, you will receive a message thanking you for registering.
    6. If registration is complete, you will receive a message asking for your email address. Sending your email address is optional.
    7. This completes the signup process.

What do I do if I don’t get a reply from the Shoutbomb service?

The Shoutbomb service processes all request within 60 seconds of receiving your message, but some cell phone providers do not deliver this first message promptly. 

    1. Wait and see if the reply arrives.
    2. If after 4 hours you still have not received a reply, send the keyword resend to 833 403-0523.
    3. You can only use the RESEND command three times per day. This limitation is in place to protect from spam messages. 

When will I receive texts?

Texts will be sent only when activity on your account triggers a message and will usually arrive around 8 AM and 4:30 PM.

What kinds of messages are available with the Shoutbomb service?

General services messages

addemail – Request to update user’s profile with an email address.
addcard – Add new cards to the same phone
dropemail – Request to update user’s profile by deleting existing email address.
fees – Toggles notification on or off when fees have been added to your account.  This option is automatically turned on when you register.
help – Request detailed descriptions and how to use each keyword.
isbn – Texting  the letters “ISBN” + a 10- or 13-digit ISBN number to search the library catalog. Useful if you are in a bookstore and want to check library holdings.
mybooks – list books checked out on your card(s).
mycards – Shoutbomb will return the card number and expiration date of the account signup – Register for text messaging service.
resend – Resend the last message from Shoutbomb.
test – Test your connection to Shoutbomb service.
quit – Turn off the text messaging service (response with barcode required).
stop – Stops the service immediatley.

Hold messages

hl – Request a list of your items currently on hold.
hold – Toggles hold notices on or off. (This option is automatically turned on when you register.)

Renewal messages

ra – Request to renew all eligible items.
renew – Toggle notification on or off for 2-day due date warnings. (This option is automatically turned on when you register.)

What if I switch phones?

If you switch to a new cell phone the phone number will not always transfer the service to the new phone. Text the keyword SWITCHPHONE to 833 403-0523 and follow any prompts.

Can I have more than one account on the same Phone?

Yes, you can manage multiple library cards from a single phone. Text ADDCARD to 833 403-0523. You will need to know the library card # and PIN for the card you want to add. Text MYCARDS to confirm that all accounts are associated with your phone.

How do I report an issue?

If you are experiencing any issues with the service please contact your local library. 

How do I quit using the Shoutbomb service?

To end all text notifications and cancel your registration, text the message quit to 833 403-0523, then reply to the instructions from Shoutbomb.

What do I do if I don’t get a reply from the Shoutbomb service?

The Shoutbomb service processes all request within 60 seconds of receiving your message, but some cell phone providers do not deliver this first message promptly. 

  1. Wait and see if the reply arrives.
  2. If after 4 hours you still have not received a reply, send the keyword resend to 833 403-0523.
    1. You can only use the RESEND command three times per day. This limitation is in place to protect from spam messages.