Library Offers Instant Research Buddy
Instant messaging lets kids ask reference questions via their computers
By Lauren Barack -- School Library Journal, 10/1/2005
They may look like the same librarians, but the reference desk crew at the Alexandrian Public Library in Mt. Vernon, IN, has a new handle—one students can reach through instant messaging: AskAlexandrian.
The library launched its new IM service in August, allowing students to ask simple research questions from their computers. “We’re even hoping they’ll add us to their buddy lists,” says Marissa Priddis, the library’s assistant director, who came up with the idea after watching larger libraries around the country launch successful IM services. “Best of all, the only cost was my time. The software is free.”
The library staff installed Trillian on its network, allowing it to send and receive instant messages through the three most popular IM services—Yahoo!, MSN, and America Online. Students can access a reference librarian from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday. And the staff has found the software so easy to use—and fun—that they often log on whenever they’re at the reference desk.
“Being able to directly link URLs via IM is great and saves so much time when giving the patron information,” says Gail Lee, a library reference assistant.
The library spread the word about its new service by sending information packets to teachers and parents at the beginning of the school year. While Priddis admits that most of the instant messages come from other libraries, she believes patrons will use the service more once they realize they can also sign up for computer time through IM.
