[LIBRARYDIR] texting software

[Bem, Greg]

We use Omnialert and Flash Alert:
https://www.lwtech.edu/about/campus-safety/emergency-communications/

If you'd like me to put you in touch with the Campus Public Safety and Facilities folks who coordinate this technology, please let me know.

Greg Bem, MLIS
Faculty Library Coordinator
Pronouns: he/him/his

Contact Info
greg.bem at lwtech.edu<mailto:greg.bem at lwtech.edu%0d>
425-739-8100 xt.8898
http://www.lwtech.edu/campus-life/library

From: LIBRARYDIR [mailto:librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu] On Behalf Of Stan Horton via LIBRARYDIR
Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2019 10:42 AM
To: 'WACTC Library Directors' <librarydir at lists.ctc.edu>
Cc: Stan Horton <stan.horton at ghc.edu>
Subject: Re: [LIBRARYDIR] texting software
Sensitivity: Private

Well, not at this time-the trigger is an instructor sending notice to the Coordinator, that a student has problem or problems.  So at that point it's a manual attempt to contact-the usual root of all problems seems to be the student has ceased to show up (we handle both on-ground and on-line classes)  Phone, email, and text are all modes to attempt contact.

But we'll definitely look into the one you mention-this is a search for something better, not search for perfection!

Thanks for the starting point hint.

Stan Horton
Associate Dean, Library, e-Learning, and Learning Support Services
Grays Harbor College
360-538-4050

From: LIBRARYDIR [mailto:librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu] On Behalf Of Guidry, Wade via LIBRARYDIR
Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2019 9:49 AM
To: WACTC Library Directors <librarydir at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:librarydir at lists.ctc.edu>>
Cc: Guidry, Wade <WadeG at bigbend.edu<mailto:WadeG at bigbend.edu>>
Subject: Re: [LIBRARYDIR] texting software
Sensitivity: Private

Stan (and others who might be interested),

Are you trying to do automated messaging? That is, targeted messaging, based on some regularly run report identifying students with falling grades, low attendance, or some other metric?

If so, I know that the library at Whitman College (Walla Walla) uses the following service for SMS (ie, text) messaging for library purposes:

https://dev.bandwidth.com/

It's not free, but the cost is trivial (they pay $0.35 / month and $0.005 per message).

It does require some basic scripting to use. But something that your IT group could probably do.


Wade Guidry
Library Consortium Services Manager, WACTCLC
wadeg at bigbend.edu<mailto:wadeg at bigbend.edu>
(509) 760-4474
http://www.wactclc.org


From: LIBRARYDIR <librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu>> On Behalf Of Stan Horton via LIBRARYDIR
Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2019 9:32 AM
To: LMDC open <librarydir at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:librarydir at lists.ctc.edu>>; elc-bounces at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:elc-bounces at lists.ctc.edu>
Cc: Stan Horton <stan.horton at ghc.edu<mailto:stan.horton at ghc.edu>>
Subject: [LIBRARYDIR] texting software
Sensitivity: Private

I find myself in charge of our Academic Early Warning system.  One of the issues we face is contacting students to see why they are having problems; that translates to (1) texting them when we have no idea of the cell service carrier, and (2) originating the messaging thru a computer.  We have identified a free solution (textfree.us) which supports that-but it comes with some severe limitations.

Are any of you using something else that allows this function?  And how would your review of the service read?  I suspect it might be best to reply off list, since this may not be of general interest.

Stan Horton
Associate Dean, Library, e-Learning, and Learning Support Services
Grays Harbor College
360-538-4050

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