[Web4lib] Re: IM reference time and trouble?

[Robert L. Balliot]

If the library website is designed to work with 
mobile, the IM interface can be also be used 
with IPhones as other handheld Internet connected
devices for roving reference or patron support
when they are in the stacks.

A patron for every interface, and an interface
for every patron.

*************************************************
Robert L. Balliot
1-401-441-5763
Skype: RBalliot
Bristol, Rhode Island
http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm
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-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Brandee Crisp
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2007 3:30 PM
To: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Web4lib] Re: IM reference time and trouble? 

We haven't been using IM very long and haven't really done much advertising,
but our young adult patrons seem to have embraced it.  In the first 6 months
with not much advertising, we have had 140 IM session for just the Young
Adult department.  Just over 180 IM messages total since July of this year.
The Young Adult librarian is on approximately 10-20 hours per week,
Reference staff is on at least 50-60 hours per week, and Children's staff
tries to be online all the hours we are open. We have online status
indicators, MeeboMe widgets for those without IM accounts and dozens of
patrons who have added us as a Buddy.  With little to no effort, I would
call it a successful service.

Brandee Crisp