The Gungle Ben Green makes nice with technology and humans

ZSR | Library Gazette » cn i hlp u? The reference desk initiates text messaging service.

On Thursday, the reference department initiated service via txt messaging. By doing so, we’ve joined a small handful of academic libraries making this format available to patrons.

In order to txt the reference desk, patrons should dial 265010, enter our IM screen name “azkzaklive” followed by their question and press enter. The question will arrive at the reference desk computer in an instant message window, and the librarian will enter her response as with any other IM.

Sounds cool. Do you have to enter “azkzaklive” from your mobile though? That looks like a painful bit of text entry.
ZSR | Library Gazette » cn i hlp u? The reference desk initiates text messaging service.

Hello, I’m from the library that you’re referencing in this post. You do have to type “askzaklive” to make sure the message comes to our account. It’s our username, so that’s how we are able to receive the message. Luckily, you only have to enter it in for the first message of a conversation. The following text messages are automatically routed to our account.

Thanks Lauren, that sounds pretty good. Is there a way to store the “askzaklive” username in the phone contacts?

I’d be interested to hear how usage goes – will keep an eye on your blog.