Did you know about Meebo?

I did not know about Meebo and when I asked my collegues they answered... kind of.

Well for those who don't - it's a service which connects IM users from different accounts.

For example - you have a Yahoo account and I have a MSN account and we want to chat - using Meebo you can.

Gone are the days of loosing friends simple because you're email alliances are different.

What does this mean for libraries - well West Liberty library is using Meebo to communicate directly with its borrowers to answer questions in real time.

Amazing right!

I wonder what else could this be used for?

And so it begins...

Often when I meet people for the first time and they learn I work in a library - their first response is; 'Oh you're a librarian'. I am sorry but I am not...

The question then becomes - what is it you do there?

I tell them that I work in Programs and Promotions and they look at me blankly.

Why would a library need someone to market them - they're free - who doesn't love libraries? - Right?

Well yes but it's not that easy...

My job is essentially to sell a library and while my product does have the advantage of being a free service dedicated to helping a broad spectrum of the community, it's not always as simple as it sounds.

This blog will explore the ways Libraries (especially Public Libraries) promote themselves.
Why it's important and how it can be done to not only benefit the organisation but the community it supports.

This no doubt will bring up issues about the changing face of libraries and how the institution is evolving as well as cause us to ponder the future of libraries in this age of abundant information.

Can't Wait!