Mosio: Mobile Reference + Text Messaging » Collaborative Text Messaging Reference

Answer Text Message Questions With QuestionPoint

Jay — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:02:24 +0000

Today Mosio’s Text a Librarian goes live with OCLC’s QuestionPoint. Libraries who are customers of both can choose to have text message questions show up and be answered in QuestionPoint.

Librarians who are staffing QuestionPoint will be able to immediately answer text questions, noticeable by a “TXT MSG” prefix and a new answering interface.

Text message questions and answers will be included in QuestionPoint’s reporting.

Of course, all of your Text a Librarian functionality still works too. Patrons can still text for instructions, autoresponders will be sent when the library is closed, and message footers will be added to promote library events. Messages will be threaded inside of QuestionPoint as they are in Text a Librarian, so you can easily carry out a full conversation.

TAL marketing materials are still available from your login, so be sure to promote your service!

As lead developer at Mosio, I want to send a big thank you to OCLC’s team for helping us make this happen. They were all a pleasure to work with.

If you’re interested in learning more, sign up for our weekly webinars.

Text a Librarian’s Post to Twitter Button and Why It’s Great: User Generated Marketing for Libraries

nc — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:00:21 +0000

Post Your Library’s Questions and Answers to Twitter

A “Post to Twitter” button on websites isn’t a new functionality, but after giving it some thought, we decided to add it to Text a Librarian. The reason? It’s User Generated Content that engages patrons and markets your library services.

SEO + Social Marketing + Patron Engagement

People searching online often type out an entire question in the search box, rather than just a few keywords, to see what results come up. Tweets are indexed by search engines like Google, Bing and soon Yahoo and when an individual searches online by typing out a question, your reference Q&A can appear in search results (aka helpful service + free marketing).

Here’s an excellent example of how the New York Public Library’s AskNYPL tweet of the question “What is the wingspan of a swallow?” is now indexed on Google, marketing their reference services.

Tweeting user generated content of funny, interesting and helpful questions and answers also engages Twitter-following patrons (and their followers through re-tweets) and informs them about your library’s reference services. We’ve seen great uses of Twitter by libraries engaging patrons with reference trivia and daily fun facts.

Spreading Love for Your Library

Many libraries are using Text a Librarian beyond questions and answers as a virtual suggestion box and for patron ideas and opinions about library services (questions, comments and feedback). When a patron texts good ideas and positive feedback, you can use the post to Twitter button to spread the love.

How Do I Start Using It? (for existing Text a Librarian customers):
The Post to Twitter button is an optional function of your service, controlled by your library’s Admin. Please visit the New Features section of your Text a Librarian microboard for details on how to turn it on.

Text a Librarian Video – Text Messaging Reference Software for Libraries

nc — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:04:27 +0000

Facts and Figures: Mobile Text Messaging Usage in the U.S. (An Opportunity for Libraries)

nc — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 22:49:43 +0000

We hear a lot of feedback regarding text messaging from both ends of the spectrum. Some understand and are part of the mobile messaging explosion in the U.S. and others need a little more convincing.

While we don’t send 470 text messages per day (we have plenty of work to do around here), we love text messaging, understand that it might be better to provide some industry facts regarding text messaging usage and show why we’re seeing more and more libraries embrace the mobile channel as an effective addition to reference services. We’ve compiled a quick list for you with links to the reports where possible, will add more as we find them and if you have any, please let us know or post them in the comments section.

Americans sent 1 trillion SMS text messages in 2008 (CTIA’s Semi-Annual Wireless Industry Survey)
SMS text messaging advertising generates response rates 2-10x higher than Internet display ads. (Local Mobile Search Study pdf)

On average, Americans send and receive twice as many text messages as phone calls per month. (Nielsen Mobile)

U.S. Teens (ages 13-17) sent and received an average of 1,742 text messages per month in Q2 2008 (Nielsen Mobile)

In 2008, teens and twenty-somethings were by far the largest users of texting, coming in at 85%. In 2009, this continued to be true with teens at 94% and 20-somethings at 87%, but usage also increased for older age groups. Among those in their 40s, usage jumped from 56% to 64%, and for those in their 50s it jumped from 38% to 46%. (The Vlingo Consumer Mobile Messaging Habits Report, May 20, 2009)

60% of U.S. mobile phone users now use SMS, compared to 54% in a survey conducted last year. (The Vlingo Consumer Mobile Messaging Habits Report, May 20, 2009)

A new online survey of mobile users (sample size not disclosed) conducted in January, 2008 by Amplitude Research has found the following features and considerations to be most important among cell phone buyers:
* Text messaging: 73%
* Camera: 67%
* Ability to access the mobile Internet: 61%
* Music features: 34%
* Video: 33%

Medical and Policy Experts Agree Wireless Technology Makes Healthcare More Efficient, Effective, and Patient-focused (CTIA Wireless Association)