Instant Messaging Reference in an Academic Library: A Case Study

Analysis and lessons learned instituting an instant messaging reference service at an academic health sciences library: the first year.

In February 2006, Thomas Jefferson University went live with a new instant messaging (IM) service. This paper reviews the first 102 transcripts to examine question types and usage patterns. In addition, the paper highlights lessons learned in instituting the service. IM reference represents a small proportion of reference questions, but based on user feedback and technological improvements, the...

Perceived academic effects of instant messaging use

College students use information and communication technologies at much higher levels and in different ways than prior generations. They are also more likely to multitask while using information and communication technologies. However, few studies have examined the impacts of multitasking on educational outcomes among students. This study fills a gap in this area by utilizing a large-sample web...

Instruction via Instant Messaging reference: what's happening?

Eliminating traditional reference services in an academic health sciences library: a case study.

QUESTION How were traditional librarian reference desk services successfully eliminated at one health sciences library? SETTING The analysis was done at an academic health sciences library at a major research university. METHOD A gap analysis was performed, evaluating changes in the first eleven months through analysis of reference transaction and instructional session data. MAIN RESULTS ...

Netflix in an Academic Library: A Personal Case Study

lections and Services,” edited by Ciara Healy), pp. 402–411 © 2010 The Board of Trustees, University of Illinois Abstract This is a personal case study of the implementation of a Netflix subscription to augment a media collection at a community college. The implementation process is explained against the backdrop of a particular collection development crisis that gripped the college media colle...