The blog,” Speak Quietly: Ramblings about libraries, writing and everything in between”, written by Scott Douglas had a very interesting entry on ways to reach our community members.   Here are some of his thoughts and supporting data  (combined with some of mine) regarding ways to reach people through technology. More and more people are using hand held devices to access information. How do we reach parts of our population who want information to come to them, rather than having them come into our physical spaces?
His discussion touches upon texting reference questions, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, Podcasting, iphone applications, Meebo.Â
What do you think? Which of these tools are you using now or would considering using in the near future?
 Texting – who uses this?
74% of all cell phone users use the text message feature; 100% of all teen cell phone users text; 85% of all college students cell phone users text
Last year, over 1 Trillion text messages were sent
On average, Americans text twice as much as they call
How the Library Could Benefit from Texting
People may prefer texting for simple questions that don’t need immediate answers.
Patrons may be more comfortable waiting for replies then they would be on the phone.
Patrons may be more comfortable asking questions when they are anonymous.
Facebook – Why?
In March 2010, more people visited Facebook then Google. It is the most visited site in the United States.
Over 400 million people use Facebook and 200 million people login to Facebook every day.
3 billion photos are uploaded to Facebook each month.
1.5 million businesses now have Facebook pages.
How the Library Could  Benefit from Facebook
It puts a friendly face on the library and encourages patrons to stop by and to see more.
It exposes programs regular patrons don’t know about.Â
It keeps patrons connected and it is an easy way to share event photos and videos.Â
Patrons can share information about upcoming library events with family and friends who might also be interested.
Facebook fan pages are visited more often than regular homepages.
Facebook is easier to build and manage than a regular homepage.
YouTube – Why?
YouTube is the third most visited site on the Internet.
70% of YouTube users are from the U.S.
The average teen spends over 2hours a week on YouTube.
How the Library Benefits from YouTube
Easy and free way to show storytimes and computer classes.
Provide instructional videos on getting email, hunting for jobs, creating a resume, etc.
Videos can be watched on a wide array of devices (not just computers).
Podcasting
Podcasting is audio feeds of different topics that users listen to on their MP3 players.
How the Library Benefits from Podcating
Library can provide informative information that patrons can listen to while they drive or exercise.
Public libraries who have successfully implemented podcasting regularly publish book talks, book readings, storytimes, and monthly book news/book recommendation.
It could serve as a walking tour of your library.
It could also be used for oral history or a local history project for elementary school students.
iPhone App
iPhone apps, are mobile applications that users with an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad can download. The applications are meant to mobilize the Internet and provide people with easy access to their favorite content. Just watch the commericals on TV.
Why iPhone / iPod Touch / iPad Data?
Over 30 million people own an iPhone in the United States.
Over 25 million people own an iPod Touch.
3 Billion apps have been downloaded.
How the Library benefits from Mobile Apps?
Mobile apps are one of the largest growth sectors.
It’s an opportunity to do something few libraries have done and it gives us an opportunity to be cutting edge .
It is one of the best ways to promote other virtual reference services the library could offer.Â
It delivers the library and some of its resources to the patron on a handheld device.
Meebo
Combines every instant messenger into one (AIM, Yahoo, etc.) and it allows Instant Messaging at the reference desk.
Why We Need It?
It’s a simple (and free) solution that provides virtual basic reference services.
Blogs
It allows us to share the latest library news, book reviews, and upcoming events.
Why We Need It:
Communication, communication and communication of library services and information.
Flickr
Allows the library to upload and manage photos
Why We Need It?
A picture is worth a thousand words and in Flickr, photos can be indexed and searched.
Twitter
Libraries can send Twitter messages to people “following” the library.
Patrons can send messages to the library.
Why We Need It?
Twitter is growing more popular every year.
Thanks Scott Douglas for the ideas and format.