IM and SMS for the Circulation Desk

It's been well documented in a number of articles regarding the contemporary library patron that with the rise in mobile computing and smart phone technology, patrons are looking for fast and easy service from whichever technological avenue they are using to access library services. Libraries are responding with increasing numbers of online resources and online means of assistance. One means of communication that is seeing more widespread use in libraries is the use of instant messaging. Many reference desks, and more and more circulation desks, are using instant messaging as a means of communication regarding a number of different library services. In this article, the author describes the steps in setting up instant messaging and SMS (text) communications for the circulation desk. (Contains 19 figures.)