The University of Kansas Libraries

BTW, yr librarian cn txt:

KU Libraries help patrons via text messages

With more and more students using text messages as their preferred mode of communication, librarians at the University of Kansas are now offering services in that same manner.

Students, faculty and staff can now ask librarians for help by sending a text message with their query. Messages can be sent to 265010 and must start with either kulibr1: or kulibr2: followed by a question.

KU librarians aren’t all thumbs when it comes to typing a response, however. A computer program translates the text message into a chat program, allowing librarians to key a response through a PC. The response is sent back to the user’s cell phone as a text.

In addition to texting, KU Libraries offers the Ask A Librarian service through email and instant messaging, by phone and in person.

Erin Ellis, coordinator of instructional services, said the libraries decided to add texting to the suite of services after increased use of their instant messaging services, which was introduced in 2003.

“Texting, particularly with the student population, is very popular and extremely easy to do,” Ellis said. “Our hope is that they’ll use this method to do anything from getting research assistance to requesting help while they’re in the stacks. We just want to provide yet another way for the KU community to contact us.”

The texting service comes at no charge through KU Libraries, although regular phone service providers’ charges may apply.

Contact: Rebecca Smith, rasmith@ku.edu, 785-864-1761.