Comments on: Selling IM @ Your Library

By: Lazygal

Lazygal — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 16:30:12 +0000

Lisa, I don’t know what website you’re talking about : at MFPOW, I just set up an IM account and told kids about it; at MPOW, I’ve done nothing. As Meredith says, it’s not one-size fits all and you have to look at the staffing and needs of the institution. Also, I work in a school library, which doesn’t really help you or your charge.

By: Lisa Tharp

Lisa Tharp — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 19:01:47 +0000

Hi Lazygal-I am charged with compiling supportive stats and literature on IM reference in libraries, especially with teens, in order to support a proposal to our city IT department. I would love the link to the website you created to support your request to your administrator. Thanks! Lisa

By: Meredith Farkas

Meredith Farkas — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 13:38:23 +0000

Hi Lazygal. I couldn’t agree more. I don’t think it’s a one-size-fits-all solution, nor is any technology for that matter. Some populations don’t IM much. Some libraries don’t have enough staff time to cover IM, making it an unsustainable project. It all depends on what your users need and what you can do given your limitations. This was more addressed to librarians who believe that IM would be a good fit at their library but need help selling it to others.

By: Lazygal

Lazygal — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 10:32:17 +0000

I used to do IM reference at MFPOW, but not where I work now. What’s changed? My students then were largely not “on campus” and couldn’t come to me… my students now have ample opportunity to come to the library during our open hours. I have more responsibilities now, and not enough time/energy to “do it all.” If we were to offer IM, it would be during the day, when the students are in school – which would mean that they’d be violating the AUP. After school? They’re doing sports or other activities – or they’re in the library studying. After dinner? That’s “after hours”, and I have “a life” (and very tech-resistant staff).

I think that one thing we need to acknowledge is that IM reference may be a great idea in a public library, or even academic, but in a school library it’s likely not to work (or be approved).