Today’s library thought leader is Mary-Carol Lindbloom, the Executive Director for the South Central Regional Library Council in New York state. When did you get started in reference, and more specifically virtual reference? In the summer of 1999, when a group of us, including Tom Peters, Lori Bell, and Ginny McCoy, met in person at […]
Category Archives: Library Tips
4 Ways Text Messaging Can Improve Your Patron Communications
A recent Pew study revealed that 80 percent of American cell phone owners use text messaging as a means of communication, sending or receiving an average of 41.5 text messages per day. For the 18-24 age group, 97 percent of cell phone owners text, sending or receiving an average of 109.5 texts per day. One […]
Ideas for Improving Patron Service at Your Library, Regardless of Your Department
Self-Checkout Machines Improving patron service doesn’t always mean providing the human touch; in fact sometimes it can mean giving the patron the option to forgo the human touch. One example of this is self-checkout machines. There are many reasons why a patron might prefer to use a self-checkout machine. They may be in a real […]
10 Great Library Marketing Videos
Librarians are known for their creativity and love of technology. And with today’s easy-to-use video-making apps and programs, librarians are using these twin passions to create some terrific marketing videos for their libraries. Below are 10 great library videos, everything from parody to patron endorsements to ghouls in the stacks. 1. The Research Games — […]
5 Reasons You Should Have Ask-a-Librarian on Every Page of Your Website
To get the most value out of your library’s services and provide patrons with the highest level of service, it is important to make it as easy as possible for your patrons to connect with those services The best way to connect patrons with your Ask-a-Librarian service is to have Ask-a-Librarian tabs, links or buttons […]
Library News Update: 3D Printing Arrives at the Library, a brief history of the Bookmobile, and more
Libraries are often on the forefront of technology. The Chicago Public Library brings new meaning to that trend with its new CPL Innovation Lab. The Innovation Lab is free to the public and features three 3D printers, 3D printing software and various related tools. The CPL is also offering workshops to introduce patrons to the […]
Library News: Libraries using radio waves to save staff and customers time, The “Bookless” Library, US libraries to help uninsured Americans figure out new health coverage options
At Mosio we love libraries. It turns out so do young people. A new study finds that the age group that uses libraries the most is 16 to 29 year olds. Given how tech savvy young people are, this is an incentive for libraries to keep on the cutting edge of technology and digital reference […]
Library News: Libraries look beyond the shelves, Why Libraries Are More Relevant Than Ever Before, New York Libraries 24 Hour Read In
Albertsons Library at Boise State gets some great publicity from the campus newspaper. The story talks about the various services the library provides that aid students in their research needs, and save them valuable time. The piece details how to get research assistance both in the library, and through the text and mobile options. Library […]
How to Create a Great FAQ Page for Your Library
A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page can be a useful tool that patrons, and even library staff, can refer to to get helpful answers to frequent questions. However, FAQs can often become outdated, and lackluster FAQs will give a poor impression of your library and its customer service. A well thought out and maintained FAQ […]
25 Great Text Messaging Acronyms You May or May Not Need to Know for Your Text-a-Librarian Service
Do you speak text? Your patrons speak many languages, and you can’t learn them all. But one thing you can do to improve service to your patrons is familiarize yourself with some of the more common terms and phrases in their languages of preference. If your patron is text-savvy enough to be texting his or […]