SMS Services for Libraries

Objectives

o What is SMS?o Some Factso SMS in your libraryo Promoting your SMS Serviceo Future of SMSo Questions/Discussion

The Basics

o SMS - Short Message Service (i.e., text messaging)o 160 character limito Shortcodeo Blast (one to many)o Incoming/outgoingo Smart phoneo Clever phoneo Google Texting Lingo

http://bit.ly/JEJoZi

The Facts

250+ million Americans carry mobile phones (80% of the nation)

4 of 5 teens carry a wireless device, and the majority (57%) view their cell phone as the key to their social life

Teens today have NEVER known a world without cellphones

http://bit.ly/IGl05D, http://bit.ly/IGm2hQ

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?

Reference Questions

• Ask a Librarian's SMS• Twilio• Mosio

• Google Voice

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.

Circulation Notices

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

Some examples:• Mosio• Shoutbomb• Twilio• ILS Vendors with

functionality: Koha, Innovative, and Polaris.

Send Catalog Records

Other Ideas for SMS in your library

• Blast Announcements!• SMS Programming Ideas

• Trivia Night• Polls• Registration for Programs• Open Communication• Contests

Create Treks Challenges Rewards Libraries get accounts

upgraded for free

Options Play with Native App SMS

http://bit.ly/IGmVabhttp://bit.ly/IGnVethttp://bit.ly/IGyvSI

Promoting SMS• QR Codes• Email• Website• Facebook and other Social

Media

• Word of Mouth

Pros and Cons of SMS

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

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

Future of SMS• Payments• Group Messaging• Geo-fencing marketing• Voice (TTS, STT)• App to Person Messaging• Person to App Messaging• Directions/Maps• SPAM/Malicious apps!

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

Questions/Discussion

What are your plans for SMS?

Contact Information

diana@novarelibrary.com

slideshare.net/dee987

Delicious.com/dee987/SMS

https://www.facebook.com/NovareLibraryServices

Novare Library Services 877-816-9638

Diana Silveira