Instant Messaging has its place but is not the be-all and end-all. I think too often people see a new techie tool as The Answer To All Problems.
But there are advantages. One can send and receive text messages from IM and it's handy for quick updates from family, or if a library patron is on the road and needs an address or phone number. IM should be used for quick needs.
But I don't believe an involved reference question can be handled this way, and too often people try to perform multiple, and/or their full library needs through IM.
I personally IM family to send notices of when birthday parties will be held, or request that someone emails me a Christmas list by a specific date. Again, a quick use for information.
How could you use IM in your personal and professional life?
Meebo is wonderful, I learned about this a few months ago. Invariably friends and family all use different IMs and Meebo pulls them all together. It's so much nicer than having to check multiple accounts myself. I just leave Meebo on while I'm working on the pc. Yahoo offers texting through email so if I note someone is "online" I have the option of sending a quick text to their phone through my Yahoo email.
But let's not forget the personal touch.
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