[Publib] Text a Librarian

[Jeff Imparato]

We're just starting a text service.  I would be interested in any responses
you received.

Thanks,
Jeff

On Mon, Nov 2, 2009 at 3:54 PM, Houghton-Jan, Sarah <
sarah.houghton-jan at sjlibrary.org> wrote:

>  The joint public/university reference department at the San Jose Library
> has been using Text a Librarian for the last several months.  Our library
> serves 1,000,000 residents of San Jose + 30,000 or so SJSU students. We
> have several hundred staff, but only a small percentage staff the TaL
> service.  All of them received some basic training (it's not hard to use, so
> it didn't take much).  Staff currently answer Text a Librarian questions in
> the afternoons from 1-6pm during their regular reference desk shifts at our
> main library, and at the branches library staff answer questions usually
> from the back room (as we do not have reference desks at the branches).  We
> hope to expand our hours of availability soon.  There are no limits on type
> of question.  There are no limits on the type of staff who can answer
> questions.  But if a question is beyond what our non-librarian staff can
> answer, they have been asked to pass it on to a librarian.  For more on how
> we use the service, see our Text a Librarian webpage:
> http://sjlibrary.org/services/reference/texting.htm
>
> Sarah Houghton-Jan
> San Jose Public Library
>
>
>  ------------------------------
>  *From:* publib-bounces at webjunction.org on behalf of Rebecca Schreiner
> *Sent:* Mon 11/2/2009 12:44 PM
> *To:* 'publib at webjunction.org'
> *Cc:* Betsy Blanche; Christopher Sauder; Linda Sappenfield
> *Subject:* [Publib] Text a Librarian
>
>  How many public libraries use “Text a Librarian” as a way for patrons to
> ask questions of library staff?  If you do, how do you use it?  Where do you
> use it?  What hours do you provide the service?  Any limits on type of
> questions?  Any limits on which staff can answer the text messages?
>
>
>
> If you don’t use it, why not?
>
>
>
> If you could indicate the size of your library and the number of staff,
> that would be helpful.
>
>
>
> Thanks for any information you can provide.
>
>
>
> *Rebecca Schreiner*
>
> Public Services Manager
>
> Round Rock Public Library System
>
> 216 East Main Street
>
> Round Rock, Texas  78664
>
> 512-218-7018
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> https://lists.webjunction.org/mailman/listinfo/publib
>
>


-- 
Jeff Imparato, Reference Librarian
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
1515 W. 10th
Topeka, KS  66604-1374

Phone: 785-580-4555
Fax: 785-580-4599
VM: 785-580-4683
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