1. MyInfoQuest SMS Project @ Framingham State College
309.222.7740
2. Texting Trend
Use of text messaging by teens has increased since 2006, both in
overall likelihood of use and in frequency of use. In 2006, 51% of
all teens, regardless of cell phone ownership, had ever sent a text
message, while 58% had done so by 2008. Similarly, daily use of
text messaging is also up, from 27% of teens using text messaging
daily in 2006 to 38% texting daily in 2008.
3. Developing Core Competencies to meet future need
From Murphy and Moulaisons Social Networking Literacy Competencies
for Librarians:
Able to connect with and provide synchronous & asynchronous
services to patrons using these communication tools FSC is already
providing email and IM reference
Skills for interacting over various mobile communication channels
the MyInfoQuest project allows our librarians to develop these core
competencies with minimal impact on manpower and budget while
providing a valuable service
4. http://www.myinfoquest.info/: About
InfoQuest is a collaborative reference service of over 60 libraries
that enables users to send questions via SMS text messages on their
mobile phones.
Roughly 27 academic libraries are participating.
MA 2 public libraries and 1 academic library
SMS reference software and systems provided by Altarama. Software
serves a gateway system to redirect questions to a Gmail
account.
Calendaring system is provided by PeopleWhere. Also use of Googles
calendar.
Illinois Alliance Library System manage project with Tap
Information Systems
5. http://www.myinfoquest.info/: About
Each library is assigned a code. Patrons then text a question with
the local librarys code; librarians monitoring questions label
response sent through Gmail w/ library code.
Infoquest bases its services by U.S. Central Time. Coverage by our
time M-F 9:00am-10:00pm. Sat 10:00am-6:00pm
San Jose State University School of Library and Information Science
volunteered to evaluate project
Project funded till the end of the year
6. http://www.myinfoquest.info/: Pithy, speedy and correct
No legal, tax or medical advice.
Not meant for questions longer than 320 characters or requiring
in-depth research
Goal: response time less than 10 min. and questions answered within
2 SMS messages
Responses limited to 160 characters
7. http://www.myinfoquest.info/: Creative Use of Resources
Use free resources like I-Google, Delicious, GoogleDocs, and
GoogleCalendar
Tap into collective knowledge
Well developed organization: Policies and Procedures, Training, PR,
Quality Control Committees
Meetings on OPAL. Communication and organization online via email
(GoogleGroups) and virtual meetings
8. http://www.myinfoquest.info/: Live
Soft launch in July
Most libraries went live beginning of September
Majority of questions asked are ready reference then local in
nature
Positive response on campus
Some problems: Gmail went down
Overall impressions: great project. Great effort from collective
team. Get to collaborate on project with librarians from all over
US
9. References
1. Lenhart, Amanda (2009). Teens and Mobile Phones Over the Past
Five Years: Pew Internet Looks Back
2. Murphy, Joseph & Moulaison, Heather. (2009) Social
Networking Literacy Competencies for Librarians: Exploring
Considerations and Engaging Participation
Questions? Millie Gonzalez, [email protected]
