[Web4lib] Experiences with patron notification email lists

[Josh Stompro]

    I would like to find out if other libraries use email mailing lists 
to keep patrons informed of what is going on at their library.  If so 
how well has it worked to directly communicate with them.  I am trying 
to find information so I can propose that our library system setup lists 
for each branch.   Our management always likes it when we can show that 
another library system is already doing something and it works.
    Are the announcements sent out by each branch's staff or by a 
central PR person?  How is signup done, at registration time, through 
the libraries web page, or both.
Thank you
Josh