Earlier this year I got to go to Computers in Libraries in Arlington, VA. One of the Pre-Conference events (the only pre-conference that I attended) was on providing reference via IM (instant messaging).
I've totally fallen in love with this idea! I'm a provider of AskUsNow and I occasionally assist my coworker Cynthia with our Ask-A-Librarian email reference service. I'm currently on a one-woman campaign to bring IM reference to BCPL. Check out my meebo to see how fun and easy it could be!
Customers could visit our website and ask a quick question to a librarian on duty! To be fair....I'll sign up for the 1st shift!
Meet the customers where they are!!!
3 comments:
One day, I'll be invited to do Ask Us Now, but until then, I will just harass people like you to give me answers when I am too lazy to look them up myself! :-P
BTW... Tag, you're it! If you stop by my blog (by using the link above) you'll find the the rules of the game and you'll be able to read a little bit about me.
One of the benefits of IM reference is the fact that it creates a means of social interaction and community between librarys and potential customers out in the online places where our customers are working and playing.
Many of these people are teens and IM is a good way to engage them but the September 2004 Pew Internet/American Life report, How Americans Use IM [pdf], reports that 53 million adults were using IM. At the time, 24% of them were doing more IM than email. No doubt this has grown.
It's official....Ellen Rocks!
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