THING #5: Instant Messaging

IM is great for instant interaction between parties. There is no waiting for a response as in e-mail, and of course there is no cost. However, this can only be accomplished when both parties are available. This could be used between family members or between library patrons and library staff. I think instant messaging between patrons and librariy staff would be great. You would have immediate response to reference questions unless the questions were such that they had to be researched. I don't have a personal computer in my home so would have to use a public computer. I'm not sure as to how many patrons do have home personal computers. We seem to have a lot of computer users here in our library. That would probably be the biggest drawback. Learning about IM has been a lot of fun. I now have my own account all set up, and hope to use it.