Lunch & Learn: SMS Services for Libraries

Presenter Diana Silveira

Novare Library Services

slideshare.net/dee987delicious.com/dee987/SMS

What is SMS? SMS Facts Reference Questions Push Circulation Notices Send Catalog Records Promote Library Programming &

Services Promotion Future of SMS Questions/Discussion

Objectives

SMS - Short Message Service (i.e., text messaging)

160 character limit Shortcode Blast (one to many) Incoming/outgoing  Smart phone Clever phone Google Texting Lingo

The Basics

Uploaded to Flickr on November 8, 2007 by Travelin' Librarian/ Uploaded to Flickr on November 29, 2006 by Michael Casey

What’s your library’s policy?

72% of U.S. adult cellphone users send and receive text messages 

The U.S. mobile teen average of 2,899 text-messages per month compared to 191 calls

Teen females, who send & receive an average of 4,050 texts per month.

Recent Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project reports:

73% of U.S. adults text One in three texters

would rather text than talk

The Facts

Ask a Librarian's SMS 

Twilio Google Voice

Reference Questions

Create a simple ( & free) SMS Reference Service

1. Set up a free Google Voice number.

2. Promote number.

3. Optional: use free GVMax service to send notifications via Instant Messaging, emails, Prowl & Howl notifications, Twitter, HttpPost, and SMS.

4. Optional: use Twitter and go800corp.com so users can text your twitter name to 46800 and be connected to your phone.

Existing software that can help a library send hold, overdue, and other circulation-based notifications to users. 

Some examples:MosioShoutbombTwilio ILS Vendors with functionality: Koha, Innovative, and Polaris.

Circulation Notices

Send Catalog Records

Blast Announcements! SMS Programming Ideas Trivia Night Polls Registration for

Programs Open Communication Contests

Other Ideas for SMS in your library

QR (Quick Response) Codes

Email Website Word of Mouth

Promoting SMS

Pros: Low Cost Easy to Implement Immediately available  Flexible Connects directly with users Statistics Platform ubiquitous 

Pros and Cons of SMS

Cons: Leaves out non-SMS users Standard texting rates may apply 

Payments Group Messaging Geo-fencing marketing Voice (TTS, STT) App to Person

Messaging Person to App

Messaging Directions/Maps SPAM/Malicious apps!

 

Future of SMS

Image from http://www.tuvie.com/wp-content/uploads/window-phone4.jpg

NOW!

Questions/Discussion

What are your plans for SMS?

Contact Info

facebook.com/novarelibraryservices

@novarelibrary

Novarelibrary.com/news

delicious.com/dee987/SMS

diana@novarelibrary.com 877.816.9638www.slideshare.net/dee987

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