One of the biggest problems faced by library users is remembering when you’re supposed to return the books you’ve borrowed. We’ve tried due date stamps in the books; doesn’t work, because … let’s face it … who ever looks in the back of a book? We have overdue notices, but … by then it’s a bit late. We have “courtesy notices” now, sent a few days before the due date, but … meh, still rather 20th Century.
Here’s an idea: suppose when you go to the library and borrow a book, the loans system automagically send you an email, but with an iCalendar format file as an attachment, with the book title and due date. Assuming the user has an iCal-aware email program, they should then be able to add the event (“return this book”) to their calendar, which will then remind them when the book is due back.
Couple of problems with this:
1. Not everybody uses calendar software (I know – wtf?!)
2. Not everybody uses a mail program with iCal support.
3. We lend around 30,000+ books a month. That’s a lot of emails.
But I don’t think any of these problems are show-stoppers. The email can be informative in itself, so the attachment is just an added benefit to those who can use it.
I think this is worth pursuing.
