E-mail Notification

Basic Information | Privacy and Email Notification | Frequently Asked Questions

Basic Information

Cook Memorial Public Library District offers an email notification option that allows you to receive email messages instead of telephone calls or paper notices when...

a hold is available for pick up (in place of a phone call or mailed notice).
an item is due in two days, as a reminder.
an item is 14 days overdue (in place of a paper notice). For DVDs, videos, and CD-ROMs, an email is sent at 10 days overdue.
your library card will soon expire.

Email notices returned to the Library as undeliverable for any reason will result in removal of your email address and suspension of your account, temporarily barring you from checking items out, renewing items, or placing holds. We will resume notifying you by phone and through the U.S. mail. Keep your email address up-to-date by informing our Circulation Department (847-362-2330) of any changes.

Failure to receive a reminder or notice of any kind does not waive your responsibility for the timely return of materials or any fines incurred.

Check your account online at any time with My Account.

You will continue to receive printed notices through U.S. mail for items that are 28 days overdue.

Privacy and eMail Notification

Library records are considered private and confidential (Library Records Confidentiality Act (75 ILCS 70/1)). Email messages will contain your name and item titles. We do not recommend that shared email addresses be used to communicate library information.

In accordance with our Patron Records policy, we will not sell, lease, or otherwise distribute or disclose your email address, postal address, phone number, borrower records or other personal information for non-library purposes to outside parties unless required by law.

The U.S. mail offers a reasonable guarantee of confidentiality of mail sent to you and we follow strict confidentiality guidelines when discussing account information over the telephone. If you choose to utilize the email notification service, we can not guarantee that information in an email message is secure once it travels through the Internet.

More information on email notification considerations for families.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is email notification right for me?	How do I sign up?
What if my email address changes?	Why is the library offering email notification?
When are email messages sent?	How do I cancel this service?
I haven't received a message. Why?	Can I receive notices by email and also by phone or U.S. mail?
Will I receive any paper notices?	What will the messages look like?
Can all the members of my family receive their notices at the same address?	Who do I contact for additional help?

Is email notification right for me?

Email notification is a great way to receive quick alerts about your library card account. It is right for you if...

You check your email account often. DVD and VHS holds are only held for 3 days. Courtesy reminders of upcoming due dates arrive 2 days before the item is due. Prompt attention to these issues will help you avoid missed holds and late fees.
You are comfortable with the security issues involved. We consider library records private and confidential (Library Records Confidentiality Act (75 ILCS 70/1)). Email messages will contain your name and item titles. We do not recommend that shared email addresses be used to communicate library information.

The U.S. mail offers a reasonable guarantee of confidentiality of mail sent to you and we follow strict confidentiality guidelines when discussing account information over the telephone. If you choose to utilize the email notification service, we can not guarantee that information in an email message is secure once it travels through the Internet or if you use a shared email account.

How do I sign up?

Bring your library card to a Library location and fill out an email notification registration form or email us (enotice@cooklib.org) from the email address you prefer used with your name and library card barcode number.

What if my email address changes?

Email notices returned to the Library as undeliverable for any reason will result in removal of your email address and suspension of your account, temporarily barring you from checking items out, renewing items, or placing holds. Keep your email address up-to-date by informing our Circulation Department (847-362-2330) of any changes.

Why is the Library offering email notification?

Email notification is offered as a convenient alternative for patrons. It provides quick delivery of notices regarding account issues as well as additional information such as courtesy reminders of upcoming due dates and library card expiration. It also saves the library handling and postage costs.

When are emails sent?

The email messages are sent by an automated process early each business day. For this reason, an item may be available for pickup before you receive the email notification. Check your account online at any time with My Account.

How do I cancel this service?

If you wish to receive a phone call and paper notices instead of email messages, simply contact the library and we will update your account.

I haven't received a message. Why?

Perhaps the message is being blocked as "spam" or "junk mail" by your email program. Add the email address enotice@cooklib.org to your address book or change your spam filter settings to allow email messages from this address.

Can I receive notices by email and also by phone or U.S. mail?

No. Our system can not provide you with both. If you wish to receive a phone call and paper notices instead, simply contact the library and we will update your account.

Will I receive any paper notices?

If you have signed up for email notification, you will no longer receive a phone call when holds are ready for pick up or the first overdue printed notice when an item is 14 days overdue (when DVDs, videos, and CD-ROMs are 10 days overdue).

You will continue to receive printed notices through U.S. mail for items that are 28 days overdue.

What will the messages look like?

All library email notices will be sent from the address enotice@cooklib.org. Notices include Library addresses and phone number, the notice date, and a link to the My Account section of the online catalog.

A hold notice will list your name, the title available for pickup, and the location where the item is waiting.

A courtesy reminder of items coming due will arrive 2 days before an item is due. It will contain your name, the item title, and the item's due date.

An overdue notice will list your name, the overdue item title, and the item's due date.

A courtesy library card expiration notice will contain your name, library card number, and the date your card will expire. Bring a photo ID with your current address to one of our locations to renew your account.

Can all the members of my family receive their notices at the same address?

We consider library records private and confidential. email messages will contain your name and item titles. We do not recommend that shared email addresses be used to communicate library information.

Individuals aged 14 and older may select the notification type they prefer. Telephone and paper notices are the most private notification method. The U.S. mail offers a reasonable guarantee of confidentiality of mail sent to you and we follow strict confidentiality guidelines when discussing account information over the telephone. If you choose to utilize the email notification service, we can not guarantee that information in an email message is secure once it travels through the Internet or if you use a shared email account.

Families are the best decisions-makers about how their children use the public library. We feel we are most helpful to families when we offer a variety of service choices.

We recommend that you discuss the alternatives available to you and suggest the following guidelines when determining the notification method that is best for you and your family:

The email address selected for a library card account should be one that is frequently used. The responsibility for checking email messages, picking up and returning material rests with the individual.
Consider the privacy of the child. Some families highly value the privacy of each family member, and these families will probably want the child to use his or her own address or opt for notification by telephone and U.S. mail. For other families, monitoring a child's behavior may weigh more heavily than issues of privacy, opting for notification by telephone and U.S. mail or email notification with a parent's address.
Email notification includes an email message when an item is overdue in place of the paper overdue notice (You will continue to receive printed notices through U.S. mail for items when they are 28 days over due and long overdue). Parents are responsible for the materials checked out by their children. Ensuring that email notices are responded to promptly is an important consideration when deciding to use email notification.

Who do I contact for additional help?

Contact the Circulation Department at 847-362-2330 during library hours with any questions about this service.