FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Text-a-Librarian service starts

Patrons can now text reference questions to Newport News Public Libraries

Newport News Public Library System patrons can now ask questions and get information by text message.

Responding to the popularity of text messaging, Newport News Public Library System now allows patrons to ask questions and get information by text message.

For patrons who are unable to ask a librarian in person or online, or those who simply prefer texting over talking, the Text-a-Librarian service provides a convenient option for getting information on their mobile phone from the reference librarians of the Newport News Public Library System.

With Text-a-Librarian, patrons ask questions by sending text messages with their mobile phones and librarians answer on a web-based interface. The service does not display phone numbers and generates an anonymous ID for each patron in order to reference conversation history.

Using the service is easy. Patrons text NNPL to 66746 for instructions. Message and data rates may apply.

On average, Americans text message almost twice as much as they talk on mobile phones, according to a recent Nielsen Mobile Survey, making it a preferred means of communication while on-the-go.

“Recognizing the increased use of text messaging by patrons of all ages, we felt it important to offer a way to communicate with the library via text messaging,” said Patricia Manzella, senior librarian at Virgil I. Grissom Library. “The new service provides an easy-to-use interface for our librarians and maintains the privacy of our patrons’ information.”

Text-a-Librarian was developed by Mosio, an award-winning mobile technology company that enables companies and institutions to harness the power of mobile communications.

For more information about the Text-a-Librarian service, please visit www.nngov.com/library.
 

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