Text a Librarian
Posted 11-04-2009 at 09:28 PM by arg34
This week, we practiced text reference. It was a fun experience overall... the only challenge was keeping our messages brief enough for 2 text messages worth of information.
This is clearly not the "teaching people how to fish" method of reference service-- just give em that "fish" and keep on truckin!
In our readings, I came across a fascinating, disturbing factoid that glinted at me like a diamond.
From Nielsen Mobile, here are monthly average numbers of texts sent and received for different age groups:
13-17: 1,742
18-24: 790
25-34: 331
LOOK at how this younger generation is grouped together for so many things, yet how divisive the stats vary!
I find myself looking back on my days of being a young wife. I needed a lot of general house-keeping counsel. How did I unstop a drain? What WERE the best ways to use vinegar as a cleaning agent? In which proportions do you substitute real onions for onion powder? I had two options: Google it or call mom. I would have my answer faster with Google, but it was never as sure of a thing as getting mom's word (45 minutes after a proper conversation, of course!).
I think about the new wives of today... would they text a librarian for the best way to make deviled eggs? Fast, authoritative. So why not?
This is clearly not the "teaching people how to fish" method of reference service-- just give em that "fish" and keep on truckin!
In our readings, I came across a fascinating, disturbing factoid that glinted at me like a diamond.
From Nielsen Mobile, here are monthly average numbers of texts sent and received for different age groups:
13-17: 1,742
18-24: 790
25-34: 331
LOOK at how this younger generation is grouped together for so many things, yet how divisive the stats vary!
I find myself looking back on my days of being a young wife. I needed a lot of general house-keeping counsel. How did I unstop a drain? What WERE the best ways to use vinegar as a cleaning agent? In which proportions do you substitute real onions for onion powder? I had two options: Google it or call mom. I would have my answer faster with Google, but it was never as sure of a thing as getting mom's word (45 minutes after a proper conversation, of course!).
I think about the new wives of today... would they text a librarian for the best way to make deviled eggs? Fast, authoritative. So why not?
Total Comments 2
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That's so funny! I used to call my mom all the time when I first got married and I had no idea how to cook something. If I am ever looking for a generic recipe, I just Google it myself. It's fast, it's easy, and it's free.
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Posted 11-05-2009 at 04:33 PM by ktornello
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I got into a car accident on monday, my first ever. As I got out of the car and my head stopped spinning I realized I didn't know what to do...and my first thought actually was, "I wonder how fast Text a Librarian could get back to me?"
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Posted 11-09-2009 at 02:44 AM by mollylewis
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Recent Blog Entries by arg34
- Evaluating User Suggestions (11-22-2009)
- Text a Librarian (11-04-2009)
- Analyze This. (10-25-2009)
- Working in Question Point (10-21-2009)
- A Clutch of Questions, Er, Eggs. (10-12-2009)
