‘Mobilise’ ur info service, text u
Jinfo Blog

19th May 2010

By Joanna Ptolomey

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On the LiveWire a few months ago we reported on the continuing explosion in the mobile technologies and applications market. And if we ever needed proof that this trend is set to continue then data shows that there will be over 5 billion devices over the next five years connected to mobile networks. (http://www.vivavip.com/go/e27924 http://www.vivavip.com/go/e27997). One of the real growth areas in libraries is in using mobile technologies integrated into library service delivery. There are examples everywhere – public, health and the academic sector are just some of the many libraries that are now trialling applications to enhance and broaden the appeal of their service. In the Fumsi forum Jo Alcock, a librarian in the academic sector, recently provided a mini-review of the OCLC QuestionPoint mobile chat widget (http://www.fumsi.com/go/f48). Earlier in 2010 OCLC’s QuestionPoint and Mosio joined forces to integrate Mosio’s ‘Text a Librarian’ text messaging reference software with OCLC’s QuestionPoint reference management service. They believe that this will offer a more comprehensive reference solution tool for the library/information service. It has been many years since libraries realised that for their services to be most valuable and appropriate they needed to take their services outside the physical walls of the library. I myself have much experience whilst working as a clinical librarian where part of the development and implementation was me out in the medical units, in clinical wards and part of clinical team briefs. As Jo pointed out in her review you get email, online chat and widgets with QuestionPoint, but the add-on from Mosio allows for text messaging. Using mobile technology patrons can send messages to a web interface that a librarian can log into to answer the query. At this moment in time this collaboration is being trialled in the US only, however news from the vendor reports that UK trials should be starting soon. Initial feedback from library services using this tool are positive. The product is easy to use and to train staff on how to use. It is considered to be an inexpensive option and add-on to a library service. It is easy to download questions and statistics from the service. Users also report user privacy is not an issue. Some services are already providing some useful tips. The main tip is to consider your information service philosophy when implementing a text reference service. An excellent question to always ask yourself when thinking about any new service design. Promoting and marketing are key factors in the success of this type of service – so use all at your disposal including blogs, library home page, intranets, wikis, and if you are dealing with students then student newspaper and FaceBook ads. Mobile technologies and applications are so ‘normalised’ now in the information and knowledge world. We are dealing with a piece of kit nearly everyone has at there disposal, a mobile phone – harness that advantage, it could be a critical success factor of your library/information service.

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