The San Francisco Public Library will be phasing out the printing and mailing of overdue and request notices starting Friday, the beginning of next month.

The library is eliminating the mailed notices to save paper and printing expenses due to recent budget cuts, library spokeswoman Michelle Jeffers said.

The phasing out of the mailed notices will take place over the course of the next year, Jeffers said.

Customers can still receive notices via email or an automated telephone call, and the library is also trying out a service that sends text message alerts for overdue or requested items.

Customers choosing which mode of notification they prefer can log onto the library’s website, www.sfpl.org, using their library card number and PIN, then click on “Modify Personal Information.”

People can also call the library’s Borrower Services line at (415) 557-4363 or send an email to borrowerservices@sfpl.org to add or change the email address that notices should be sent to.

Jeffers said, “We want to make sure people aren’t freaking out” about the elimination of the mailed notices, and said concerned customers should bring any concerns to the librarian at their local branch.

For more information about the change, call (415) 557-4400 or your local branch library.