#8

So I used AIM for years, basically from the time our family got an internet connection sometime in the late 90's, all the way through college. In 2007 I got a Gmail account, and after having a chat function integrated with my email, my AIM usage tapered off pretty quickly. Chat through Gmail and the occasional chat through Facebook are all I use for instant messaging now.
I do like the idea of IM aggregator services, but have never used one. All the people I ever needed to chat with were always on AIM for many years, and then most of the people I wanted to chat with migrated to Gchat or Facebook.
I know using instant messaging of various kinds has become more popular at libraries over the past few years, especially in academic libraries, and I'm all for it. I have never used any kind of service myself but I know there are people who use it regularly. I'm not so sure about instant messenger integration with reference in public libraries though. I actually hope to find out more about this during my practicum.

Email is of course pretty essential to how any workplace functions. There are plenty of library mailing lists to keep patrons up to date on events and new arrivals, and as an employee it's a great way to drop a little note about something that needs to be done or some point of interest without creating a mass of post-its.

I think using texting as a way to provide reference service is just a bit out of reach right now, unless there were some sort of computer-based client by which you could receive and answer text messages. In that case it'd be totally fine, it would be like a non-commercial version of ChaCha or KGB. Personally, I do send text messages, but not constantly by any stretch, so I think I would sooner call the library than text (if that were an option).

I used a web conferencing service last spring for my internet tools & trends class. Using Adobe Connect individuals gave presentations about various web tools and how a library might utilize them. This involved both speaking and screen-sharing a PowerPoint presentation. The rest of the group could comment in a chatbox on the side while the presentations were happening (only one person could speak to the whole group at a time). It was a new experience for me and though it was sort of awkward it went relatively well. I think as the technology continues to improve and streamline and video chat and screencasting / sharing become more common this would be a great way to provide reference service or technology / internet instruction in both one-on-one and group situations.