IM - Method 9

We have IM at my library but it is for employee-to-employee use only. There are several good library uses for the IM. My worry is that people using IM generally expect instant gratification, never realizing that others may also have requests at the same time, and even with a person hired to deal solely with IM requests there could still be extended delays in a reply thus making the patrons experience a frustrating one. Nor does today’s economy promote the hiring of more staff. Personally, I prefer reference questions done through e-mail instead of IM. Overall, I do think that IM is another useful tool for libraries that should be further explored.