Including the ability to sign up for SMS in Vega is an important way for our patrons to stay connected to the library and the services they have come to expect. The more ways we can potentially engage with our patrons, the better.

A large number of our patrons complain about not seeing their emails because their inboxes are overloaded with messages, so we have always pushed them to sign up for text message alerts. We also have many patrons who want to know IMMEDIATELY when something they have requested comes in for them, and they love their text message alerts. We need to be able to offer this option to ALL of our patrons, especially since we are unable to sign them up for this service in Sierra.

People don't always check their mail/email for notifications. But their phones are usually within arm's reach to check incoming texts. The SMS option would ensure that more messages are being seen when they're sent out to people who opt in.

Most people want to have this option. It would be great to have it back.

Integrating SMS signup directly into Vega would streamline the user experience by eliminating the need for users to navigate away from the platform.

This is a really customer focussed idea.So many people ask for it.

Would be very helpful!

Our patrons are fans of SMS notifications, so we would appreciate this enhancement. Am I correct in thinking that I recently heard a suggestion (maybe in a strategic partner meeting?) that Innovative was looking at revamping the whole SMS notifications as part of LX Starter? No mention of this in the Roadmap yet though.

I fully support the integration of SMS signup directly within Vega. It would simplify user experience by keeping everything in one place, without redirecting them to the Polaris PowerPAC.

In addition to SMS signup, there are other important datapoints/features missing in Vega's Patron Profile screen that would benefit our patrons, as they have these values now in PowerPAC:

Card Type: Patrons need to know their card type to understand what services or borrowing limits they have access to. i.e. Full privileges or limited access, etc.

Date of Original Registration: This helps patrons see how long they’ve been with the library, which can be important for personal records or nostalgia.

Current Messages: Important alerts like "outstanding fees" should be visible to help patrons stay informed with details about their account.

Last Activity Date: Seeing their last login or activity helps patrons manage their engagement and keep track of their account usage.

Alternate Email Address: Some patrons prefer using different emails for library notifications to keep their inbox organized.

e-Receipt Preferences: Patrons want to choose how they receive receipts—whether by SMS, email, or not at all.

Email Reminder Notices: Opting into reminders for almost overdue items or expiring accounts helps patrons stay informed.

Username Setting: Allowing patrons to create a username would make logging in easier and more personalized.

Adding these features would greatly improve the user experience in Vega, making it more user-friendly and aligned with modern expectations. Starting with SMS signup would be a fantastic first step.