Instant Messaging
(Using AIM – same as ShipLibrary reference chat, meebo, and more)
Instant Messaging, or Chat, is a quick substitute for a private conversation or an email when there may be a lot of back-and-forth in a discussion. Quick Reference qiuestions are a good examples of chat in libraries. The Library Success Wiki has a good page on which libraries are using what kinds of chat service(s) to provide quick answers to library users and patrons.
Some of my friends in the computer use chat in their libraries to facilitate internal communication. For example, if everyone were to have a chat application open on their workstation questions and discussions could happen without the interruption of a phone call. If someone were busy, the question would be waiting on the chat application (similar to an unread email) and a quick reply could be dashed off by the recipient as time and workflow allows.
Discovery Exercises:
- Chat with the person monitoring the ShipLibrary AIM Chat?
- Create an AIM handle (aim.com or aol.com?)
- Try out AIM Chat (and/or other options like Meebo, Pudgin, gTalk, etc.)
- Some libraries use Chat to replace quick emails back and forth, do you think doing this would work for you?
This week might be a quick week and I'll be out of the library for ACRL - so go ahead and try this one on your own.
ReplyDeleteThe big thing to try is the Ship Library chat widget off the Instant Answers box on the library homepage.
I use the chat at the Reference Desk, but not personally. However my wife and I both got Droids for xmas (very romantic) and text each other a lot. I suppose that is very similar to online chat in that the messages are short.
ReplyDeleteDoug