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ViewsSMS Text MessagingFrom IPL Wiki
SMS text messaging allows users to send short text messages from cell phones and other mobile devices.
[edit] About SMS Text MessagingText messaging, or “texting,” is a way to communicate and send messages between mobile phones without any voice communication. Text messaging is also referred to as short message service, or SMS, the predominant technological method behind message delivery. The most basic format is a brief written message, but images and other media can also be attached. Messages are also limited to a short number of characters, generally below 160. Text messages are generally sent from one cellular phone to another, but occasionally can be sent to phones from websites and other automated services, such as cellular billing systems. The ability to send and receive text messages varies from cell phone model and cellular service providers, but is becoming an increasingly standard feature. Pricing can also vary within in each carrier, either charging per text or for a flat or free reduced rate in a wider plan. An early precursor to texting was the use of pagers. Users could write very simple words or messages using numbers instead of letters or by agreed-upon signifiers between friends (such as sending “911” to indicate an urgent matter). The more current form of text messaging emerged around the early 1990s but noticeably started increasing in popularity after the millennium. Early text messaging services in libraries included the Curtin University Library in Australia, and the Southeastern Louisiana University Library in the United States (Hill et al., 2007). [edit] How does SMS Text Messaging work?A large majority of text messages are sent using the SMS method mentioned above. This is a communications protocol that allows phones to communicate with each other through the exchange of data. It is the technical specifications of this technology that is responsible for any character limits set forth for sending or receiving texts. While most mobile to mobile text messages are sent using the SMS protocol, it is important to certain cellular phones use other forms of transmittance. For example, some phones may use an adapted form of simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP), more commonly used in e-mail communication. Messages are composed depending on the make and model of the cellular phone in question. The most basic method is by using the alphanumeric keyboard present on all non-touch screen phones. A few letters will be assigned to each number, so predictive text can be used to prevent tapping each key multiple times. Some phone models have full QWERTY style keyboards, often attached to be accessible via a slide or flip motion. Some newer touch screen phones have no actual keyboards, but instead have on-screen keyboard displays. [edit] Best PracticesThe following public and academic libraries are a small sampling of the numerous libraries now offering text message-based reference help. San José Public Libraries and San José State University Library
Libraries Offering SMS Reference Services [edit] IPL examplesGraduate student volunteers have been testing and providing feedback on the software available at Text a Librarian, powered by Mosio. [edit] Hands on ActivityActivity 1: Text a question to an My Info Quest librarian and have the answer delivered to your phone within minutes! Text 309-222-7740 and enter your library's code Text your question A librarian will text an expert answer within 10 minutes during the hours of service
Simply text message your search query to GOOGLE ("466453" on most devices) to receive a text message back with your results.
You will need a cellular telephone with texting capabilities. While the reference service is free, the cost to send and receive text messages will vary based on your plan and provider. [edit] Articles about SMS Text MessagingACRLog. (2006, February 8). Ever wonder About that SMS reference service [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://acrlog.org/2006/02/08/ever-wonder-about-that-sms-reference-service/ Breeding, M. (2005). SMS offers libraries new talk tool. Smart Libraries Newsletter, 25(5), 6. Hill, J. B., Hill, Cherie Madarash and Sherman, Dayne. (2007). Text Messaging in an Academic Library: Integrating SMS into Digital Reference, The Reference Librarian, 47(1): 17—29. Kroski, E. (2009, October 15). Text message reference: Is it effective? Retrieved November 22, 2009 from the Library Journal website: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6701869.html Lim, C. (2007, August 12). Warning of danger via text message. Time Magazine. Stephens, M. (2007). Can u txt the lbry? Retrieved December 3, 2009 from ALA TechSource website: http://www.techsource.ala.org/blog/2007/06/can-u-txt-the-lbry.html Thompson, C. (2009, August 24). Clive Thompson on the new literacy. Retrieved December 9, 2009 from the Wired Magazine website: http://www.wired.com/techbiz/people/magazine/17-09/st_thompson Today @ PC World. (2008, December 11). Gmail adds text messaging (again) [Web log message]. Retrieved from: http://www.pcworld.com/article/155317/gmail_adds_text_messaging_again.html [edit] Feedback and Prize DrawingTo give feedback to the IPL about the 15 Things and to register for the prize drawing, please visit: http://vll.ipl.org/15things/index.html
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