SMS Text Messaging and Science Students: New Opportunities for Librarian Outreach

Abstract

This study provides a quantitative and qualitative analysis from an organic chemistry laboratory class of student's communication preferences for scheduling an appointment with a science librarian. The communication channels investigated include office hours, phone, e-mail, walk-in, and short message service (SMS). The data show that science students primarily use walk-ins, SMS, and e-mail as a means of communication. Students tend to use communication technology and walk-ins at their own time of need rather than the librarian's time of availability. As SMS technology becomes more convenient, unobtrusive, and inexpensive, students are increasingly likely to use this technology for asking questions or scheduling appointments.

Keywords:

• scheduling of science reference appointments
• science library outreach
• text-messaging