ChatText services go 24-hours
March 10, 2013Texting is the newest way to connect with VCU Libraries' research expertise. After spring break, text messages will be responded to around the clock, 24 hours a day when James Branch Cabell Library is open (Sunday 10 a.m. to Friday 10 p.m.) and on weekends.
Librarians also respond to users' questions by chat, email, voicemail and, of course, face to face.
Texting is a constant for cell phone users. Among 18 to 29-year-olds, 97 percent send texts, according to data from the Pew Research Center's internet project.
"Answering research questions by text is now an essential part of our package of services," says Research Librarian Kristina Keogh, who is in charge of setting up the new service. "At VCU, we meet our users where they are. They may be across town in a Panera working on a paper or they may be in a quiet corner on the fourth floor quiet-study area and don't want to leave their materials to come downstairs to speak with a research librarian."
Librarians are prepared for a range of questions. Keogh expects to receive both basic and advanced queries--everything from "where do I find this book?" to how to cite a source properly, from how to get started on a project to how late Starbucks is open.
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"Answering research questions by text is now an essential part of our package of services," says Research Librarian Kristina Keogh, who is in charge of setting up the new service. "At VCU, we meet our users where they are. They may be across town in a Panera working on a paper or they may be in a quiet corner on the fourth floor quiet-study area and don't want to leave their materials to come downstairs to speak with a research librarian."
Librarians are prepared for a range of questions. Keogh expects to receive both basic and advanced queries--everything from "where do I find this book?" to how to cite a source properly, from how to get started on a project to how late Starbucks is open.