by I saw a sign coming home the other day and I keep meaning to take another look at it. It was a text messaging service. All you had to do was text a question, anything they stress, to Just Ask (this is of course if I am remembering the sign correctly). Answering questions – isn’t this our business? Have we been beaten again (see my post on the Find Engine)?
I realize that there are a few libraries offering services via text messaging but I believe it is still relatively low. We can easily offer updates of new content, let patrons know when books are in, and yes, even reference service through text messaging. This is certainly the way many university students communicate and we’ve all heard that email is the way old people communicate! I’d love to know if this service is getting a lot of questions. I’d also love to know who’s answering these questions (which is another reason to take a look at that sign).
As an aside, I’ll be quiet the next few days as I’m off to Phoenix for the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) Task Force Meeting (inconveniently timed to coincide with Computers in Libraries, which I really must go to sometime). I’m sure I’ll have lots to blog about during/after the conference.
I noticed this sign on the way home as well. Only 2.99 and you can ask whatever question you want! If I had a cell phone I would be tempted to put that to the test… anyway, enjoy your trip!
It was great meeting you, o Wee Librarian!
Looking forward to your CNI blogging. I’ve done a little here.
And good seeing you in this session. Blogging it?
Great meeting you Bryan! Great session too! I will be blogging your session and the CNI conference sessions I attended in the next couple of days. Keep checking in :