Thing 7

Communication on the web -

I am very familar with email, IM and texting as I have teenages. So I have personally used all of theses but lately the kids seem to text more than anything I have found as IM has slowed down, at least within my kids groups.

For the library - we have used email for several years for late notices and requests. I have some patrons that will email me reference questions. But that is few. I would love to see email used more. IM would work in a limited capacity at small libraries. As most IM users want an answer now but we are not open 24/7 and that would frustrate some users. Some how the hours would have to be posted. Texting would work but then all libraries would need cell phones and costs could get in the way with this. Our community is long distance to other communities around us to many in our community have cell phones and no landlines now. So cell phones are more and more popular - I even have many young customers coming in with cell phones. Holds and late fees could be sent out as a text to them on cell phones along with promotions if they signe up for them. Cell phones will be the way to get ahold of people soon and texting will be used for marketing. Is happening in larger markets now.