Thing #8 - Communication

I'm *usually* an early adopter when it comes to new Internet sites, gadgets etc. So I'm already quite familiar with instant messaging and social networking.
Most of the time I just like to see how these things work but actually fail to use them in day to day life because a lot of it is just to stalker-y for my comfort.
Like my Twitter page that still sits empty after signing up several months ago. For unknown reasons, I kind of hate Twitter, maybe because I hate what I don't understand? Anyhow, I'm still convinced that it's just some short-term fad with no long-term benefit to the library.

I am however guilty of frequenting texting. It's almost like a covert form of communication, you can talk to someone without having to interrupt them (or others around you) with a phone call. The downside is that it's not free. Having said that, I don't think texting would ever be a feasible way for the library to communicate with patrons. I really don't see too many people willingly signing up to receive texts from the library.

Instant messaging is already being used in the library with tools like "Ask a Librarian", which is actually a pretty cool feature. I've also seen some of my co-workers do the web conferences and I can really see how that may be the way of the future when it comes to teaching....we'll see.