KU librarians ahead of technological curve
With technological advancements and the rapidly declining use of paper related sources, it’s no secret that libraries are becoming a thing of the past.
Recently, however, KU’s Rohrbach Library became the first Pennsylvania library to join over 50 other schools and libraries participating in a pilot program known as My Info Quest which allows students to text a question to the program’s number. It will be analyzed by a professional librarian who will then return an answer within 10 minutes if sent within the operation hours.
“It is as easy as pie to implement, as long a library has staff willing to learn and embrace a new skill set — notably the practice of giving a good answer in 150 characters,” said KU librarian Robert Jensen, commenting on the difficult task of shrinking detailed and informative responses to fit the constraints of a text message.
The idea was first introduced to Jensen and several colleagues at Refolution, a conference near Harrisburg that focuses on improving library services. It was there he met the chief of Altarama, who informed him that the library could join the service for free. “These are ugly times for libraries,” said Jensen. “Ours is not alone in having to make painful decisions about what we’re able to offer people. So it’s nice to be a part of a cost-free effort to build a new kind of service that really matters.”
With the prevalent use of text messaging in today’s society, the service is great for those who are often away from a computer, but always have their cell phones handy.
Because of the number of libraries involved, the chances of a student’s question being answered by a KU librarian are around one percent, but this allows libraries to work together in making sure students get the best quality answers. “Working with a cooperative is a beautiful thing,” said Jensen. “It enables libraries to collaborate together to make the whole much greater than the sum of its parts.”
“Let me stress that this is just one of a lot of ways the Information Commons and Rohrbach Library have been developing and refining services for KU students,” said Jensen, adding that the library recently implemented LibGuides, a system containing information on class subjects designed to aid students with research.
The service will be available until December 2010, and then a decision will be made whether to continue using the program based on data gathered and analyzed by San Jose State University.
Jensen, who has already answered dozens of questions, said, “It’s an excellent way to offer information in a format that people can use. This is what libraries do well, and we’re excited to be helping move reliable information in new ways.”
Students wishing to use the service should send a text beginning with KRL to 309-222-7740. It’s available from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
My Info Quest is free and available to everyone, but standard messaging rates apply to those not on an unlimited texting plan.
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