Thing # 7 - Communication Tools

Email Usage - our library utilizes email as one of the many means of communication among the staff. Email is used to pass on announcements, post meeting agendas or meeting minutes , give information regarding the status of a work project, offer a means for education on a topic through listservs, or a dozen other uses. It is utilized highly throughout the day. The current layout of our email system allows for customization of one's email. This enables the user to organize and archive emails that are important for future reference. Productivity does seem to be enhanced through the current email system we have in place.

Online Reference - We currently have email reference at our library. Students are able to write in and ask anything ranging from simple questions about their account to detailed reference assistance. Questions are usually responded to within a 24-hour period.

At the current time, we are investigating Instant Messaging - to see if we can start to implement it within our institution. I think offering tools that reach out to all spectrums of our audience is a wonderful idea. Many of the younger generation IM and chat all the time and offering that as one more way in which they can contact us is an excellent idea. I do think, however, that it will take some time and training to become proficient and comfortable with Instant Messaging (particularly for those of us that are not from the younger generation). The whole premise of Instant Messaging is for quick (almost instantaneous) answers. A service that is not quick would soon become unattractive to our patrons.

Throughout the readings and videos in this exercise the idea of text messaging was also brought up. I could possibly see this as another means of reference, however, due to the fact that many phone companies charge an extra fee for every time someone receives or sends a text message, some patrons may not see this as a viable alternative. I also have a picture in my mind of the future reference librarian standing there with all of his / her gadgets attached - cell phone in one hand and the hand-held portable computer in the other.

Web Conferences - I really like the establishment of Web Conferences. They are easy to attend, do not require travel time, and can fit easily into the workday schedule without requiring you to miss a half-day of work to attend one. The one drawback that I see, however, with many Webinars is the lack of personal interaction. Some permit interaction via the phone, but there is something to be said of the personal networking that occurs at a conference you attend in person.