From 1 April, the London Borough of Bexley’s Library Service will no longer be sending out postal notifications to customers to alert them that they have an overdue item which needs to be returned or renewed, or that they have a reserved item ready for collection.

Those making use of this service can instead opt to receive these notifications by email.

Customers aged 18 and over can register an email address with their local library to keep receiving notifications.

For account holders aged 17 and under, this change will apply only to overdue items – notifications are not currently sent for children’s reserved items, and this will remain unchanged.

Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, Cllr Brian Bishop said,

Sending letters is expensive and the rising cost of postage means it’s becoming more and more costly to send out reminders by post.

While we will stop sending letters from April, library customers can benefit straight away from the new pre-overdue warning email.

This service is available at no cost and will help residents to avoid paying library fines by giving a chance to return or renew their loans before they pass their due by dates”.

Computer Buddies are available in libraries to assist with setting up an email address for customers who wish to receive email notifications but do not have an email address set up yet.

Those opting to switch to email notifications can also opt in to receive a pre-overdue notice by email, just before their loans are due for return.

This new service will be free of charge to library members. Customers who already receive notifications by email, don’t need to do anything and will automatically receive the new pre-overdue reminder email. 

Anyone currently receiving overdue and reservation notifications by post should speak to a member of staff on their next visit to the library to update their preferences and provide an email address if we don’t have one for you already.

Alternatively, customers can email libraries@bexley.gov.uk and state their library card number to opt in to email notifications and pre-overdue notifications by email.