Check it out!

The Message Library is a resource to view all of the existing custom and pre-made teacher messages the teachers can use.

Inside the Message Library, you can customize categories, delete or add new messages and identify message usage. Districts can remove or add any of the prerecorded library messages, and they can also create an unlimited number of customized messages and add them to the library at any time.

Access the message library

  • From the Blackboard Communications HQ interface menu, select Messages > Library.

Teacher Communication Messages: You can add new categories and messages for all teachers in your district or school.

School Messages: This tab displays all the pre-made messages under every school and district site. You can add categories and messages for administrators and staff to use for sending a custom message.

Add a category

Both district and school administrators can create a new category to be included with the pre-made teacher messages.

  1. From the Blackboard Communications HQ interface menu, select Messages > Library.
  2. To add a new category to the library, select Add Category.
  3. Add the category details:
    • Select the district or School for the category.
    • Type the Name for the category.
    • Select Allow child organizations to use this category to allow school administrators within the district to send messages within the new category.
    • Type the category Description.
  4. Select Save.

Add a new custom message

Administrators can also create custom messages within a category for teachers to use.

  1. From the Blackboard Communications HQ interface menu, select Messages > Library.
  2. Select the message category from the left panel.
  3. To add a new message to the library, select Add Message.
  4. Create the message.
  5. Select Save.

    The new custom message will appear under the category.

Merge tags with recorded library messages

You can use merge tags for recorded messages in your message library. The tag will record the information available in the database for the specific information.

For example, to create a library message where you want to ensure a parents email is correctly on file, you can record the message, insert a merge tag for the email of parent, and the email address available on file will be inserted into the generalized recording. Then the message will be sent to all parents listing their own email address.

Merge tags help you to send personalized messages with only one recording.

  1. When you add a new message to the library, from the Phone area, select Use merge tags with recorded audio.
  2. From the Audio box, select Call me to record or Call in to record.
  3. When typing your script, select your merge tags through the Merge Tags feature. To avoid errors, do NOT copy and paste merge tags into the text.
  4. Read the script and when you see a merge tag, press the Star (*) button on your phone. Wait for the beep to continue reading your script.
  5. Press Pound (#) when finished recording, and press 1 to save the message.

Select message visibility

District administrators can determine which messages schools can view, depending on the school type - such as high school, middle school, and elementary.

  1. From the Blackboard Communications HQ interface menu, select Messages > Library.
  2. Select the message category from the left panel.
  3. Select Show message visibility checkboxes.

    Check boxes will appear next to the messages and display school types.

  4. Select or clear the messages for the different school types.
  5. Select Save when finished.