thoughts about using IM in libraries

1. Having a Phone
Aaron Schmidt
walkingpaper.org

2. f2f IM ?
letter
fax
telephone
email
evolution of library service communication

3. Stats!
• PEW/Internet
• How Americans Use IM [pdf]
• 53 million American adults use instant messaging and
its appeal is especially apparent among young adults
and technology enthusiasts.
• Teens and Technology [pdf]
• 75% of online teens and 42% of online adults use
instant messaging.

4. effort
effort
patrons effort effort
library

5. effort
effort
patrons effort effort
library
effort
google, et al.

6. effort
patrons effort
library
effort
google, et al.

7. http://www.flickr.com/photos/wetwebwork/
2348398288/

8. What’s so special?
• Email on steroids
• Real time interaction
• Conversations on the web!

10. Types of questions

11. A sample interaction
• patron: yah, um, how long is the Illiad/
• me: pages?
• patron: no, how lng would it take 2 read it?
• patron: *it
• me: oh, well, it depends on how fast you read! it is a
GREAT book.
• me: it is generally around 590 pages

12. • patron: thts wat ive heard!
• patron: WOW!!
• me: well worth your time.
• me: i can put it on hold for you if you like
• patron: OK!!!
• me: nice. what is your last name?
• patron: o, [patrons last name]

13. Types of patrons
• Kids and teens
• Undergrad students
• Stay-at-home parents
• People using IM and work

14. Become their buddy

16. You’ll need...

20. A few best practices

21. So, How to
• Visit meebo.com
• Multi-network program
• Register an AIM screen name
• Practice in house

24. davidleeking.com/2007/11/30/fun-with-our-meebo-widget-and-the-library-catalog/

29. KTHX
BYE

30. “check the encyclopwdia”

33. The Big Question

34. The Big Question

35. The Big Question
• What happens if I’m helping
someone in the building and I
get an IM patron?!

36. What about VR?

37. VR Dynamic
patrons
effort effort
effort
library

39. Virtual Reference
• Where’s the community?
• Designed for librarians

40. What’s next?

44. Quick, Cheap & Easy
Questions?
AIM: XXagentcooperXX
e: librarian@gmail.com