OCLC’s QuestionPoint and Mosio’s Text a Librarian announce virtual reference collaboration; Project to offer text messaging reference options to QuestionPoint users
OCLC and Mosio are working together to enable seamless integration of Mosio’s Text a Librarian text messaging reference software with OCLC’s QuestionPoint reference management service to provide a comprehensive virtual reference solution for libraries.
OCLC and Mosio are exploring solutions to the demands of a mobile world and the need for libraries to be able to communicate with their patrons online and on-the-go.
“Library reference services need to be accessible where and when users need them, in the form they want,” said Jay Jordan, OCLC President and CEO. “Users are increasingly relying on mobile technologies, and QuestionPoint is committed to providing libraries with the tools they need. Text a Librarian is a leader in texting services for libraries in the U.S. Working together, we believe we can deliver an efficient and cost-effective solution for libraries.”
QuestionPoint’s reference management suite that includes email, online chat and chat widgets combined with Mosio’s Web-based Text a Librarian service for text messaging would offer patrons more virtual reference options and provide libraries increased efficiencies in managing patron inquiries in a single place.
“Mobile reference services are an exciting opportunity for libraries,” said Noel Chandler, Mosio CEO and Co-Founder. “This collaboration combines our expertise in mobile reference technology with OCLC’s experience as the leader in virtual reference management software to provide libraries a full digital reference services package.”
The integration of Text a Librarian with QuestionPoint services will begin with libraries based in the United States.
For more information, visit www.textalibrarian.com or www.oclc.org/questionpoint.
If you are at ALA Midwinter in Boston, we will also discuss this at our QuestionPoint user group meeting, Sunday January 16, 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM at the Boston PL, McKim Lower Level B. [Enter through the Dartmouth St. entrance (the McKim Building), then take the stairs one level down and McKim Lowerl Level B will be on the right.]
About OCLC
Founded in 1967, OCLC is a nonprofit, membership, computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purposes of furthering access to the world’s information and reducing library costs. More than 72,000 libraries in 112 countries have used OCLC services to locate, acquire, catalog, lend, preserve and manage library materials. Researchers, students, faculty, scholars, professional librarians and other information seekers use OCLC services to obtain bibliographic, abstract and full-text information when and where they need it. OCLC and its member libraries cooperatively produce and maintain WorldCat, the world’s largest online database for discovery of library resources. Search WorldCat on the Web at www.worldcat.org. For more information, visit www.oclc.org.
About Mosio’s Text a Librarian
Text a Librarian is a mobile reference service technology developed specifically for libraries. Built on Mosio’s award-winning mobile questions and answers platform, Text a Librarian enables libraries to reach more patrons on the go through their mobile phones. For more information regarding Text a Librarian, please visit www.textalibrarian.com
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