What is the answer?

Libraries are using Instant Messaging, e-mail, Ask A Librarian links, phone reference, MySpace, Facebook, blogs, wikis and text messaging as life lines for the sinking researcher- the person who is overwhelmed by resources and just wants an answer.

netconnect, the supplement to Library Journal, has an interesting article titled "Mobile Delivery :Information Anywhere". (neither Ebsco nor Proquest have posted the Fall 2008 Net Connect issue - but they will - so you will be able to read this article in GALILEO - you can set up an RSS feed in both databases that will alert you when the new issue is posted).

Back to my point - throwing out the lifeline, getting the answers - the other librarian shared this with our faculty:

Kate and I came across an article pointing out that reference information services are now often available for cell phones. Cell users can text a question to one of several services and have the question answered within a few minutes.

The two services I used in a test run were Google and ChaCha (google.com/sms) and (chacha.com). I asked both services ‘what is the capital of Canada?’ The google service responded very quickly with the correct answer, as did the chacha service. Chacha uses live humans to answer their questions while google’s service is automated to some degree.

Google-466453 and ChaCha-242242. Please note that if you have to pay for texts or other cell fees then the cost of that will show up on your cell bill. Otherwise the services are free.

This should come in handy for when you are broken down on the side of the road and need to know the name of the British Prime Minister (Gordon Brown).

Now there's another way to get the answers.....

-kls/JWF

to get the password to use GALILEO at home, ask your Georgia librarian