May 2024
Would you like to be notified when a new title by your favorite author is added to the collection? Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) has a feature called “Author Alerts” in the “Reading Recommendations” section on the website. This service enables readers to be notified by email or text message when new titles or offerings by authors or performers are added to the FBCL collection.
Please note that some notifications will be “pre-release.” These notifications are for titles that are in the process of being added to the collection but are not yet available for checkout.
Readers can sign up for Author Alerts by clicking on the “Books, eLibrary, & More” tab on FBCL’s website and choosing “Reading Recommendations” and then “Author Alerts.”
There is no limit to the number of authors, performers, or film studios that can be selected for notification. Library users can also choose the format(s) that they prefer, such as: book, ebook, audiobook on CD, e-audiobook, DVD, streaming video, large print, music CD, or streaming music. Multiple formats can be selected.
When an item by the chosen author is added to FBCL’s collection, an email/text will be sent within 24 hours notifying the requester of the new addition. The email/text will include a direct link to FBCL’s catalog, so that a hold can be placed on the new item immediately.
For a brief video tutorial, click here.
To Begin Using Author Alerts
Follow the instructions in the “Create a Profile” box to register.
- Screen names are optional and can only be seen by others if the option to “allow other readers to view my alerts” is selected.
- Choose to be notified by email or text message, and hit “Continue.”
- For email notifications, be prepared to enter a valid email address. Emails will come from support@authoralerts.org, so this email address should be added to one’s contacts or safe list so that emails do not go to the spam folder.
- For text notifications, enter a cell phone number and carrier.
- In the “Select Formats” box, choose the desired format(s) and hit “Continue.”
- Next, add the first and last name of the author, performer, or film studio. Be sure the spelling of the name is correct. If the spelling is incorrect, an error message will appear; simply click the “back” button to correct the spelling. Hit “Continue.”
- A pop-up will appear asking for a reason why this author/performer was selected, but this step is optional and can be skipped.
- A confirmation email/text will be sent once the registration is successfully completed.
- Preferences can be changed at any time simply by logging back in.
To Update Preferences
- After the initial registration, requesters can log into Author Alerts by clicking on “Returning User” and entering the email or phone number they used for registration.
- Once signed in, requesters can add, delete, or change current selections.
- To delete authors, simply click on the x mark next to the author in the “My Alerts” box.
- The requester’s email, phone number, screen name, format types, and privacy settings can be changed by clicking on “edit settings.”