If This Then That: An Introduction to Automated Task Services

Abstract

This article explores automated task services, a type of website that allows users to create rules that are triggered by activity on one website and perform a task on another site. The most well-known automated task service is If This Then That (IFTTT), but recently a large number of these services have sprung up. These services can be used to connect websites, apps, business services, and even devices such as phones and home automation equipment. This allows for millions of possible combinations of rules, triggers, and actions. Librarians can put these services to use in many ways, from automating social media postings to remembering to bring their umbrella when rain is in the forecast. A list of popular automated task services is included, as well as a number of ideas for using these services in libraries.

KEYWORDS:

• Automated task services
• IFTTT
• Internet
• libraries

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Matthew B. Hoy

Matthew B. Hoy, MLIS ([email protected]) is Medical Library Supervisor, Medical Library, Mayo Clinic Health System–Eau Claire, 1221 Whipple Street, Eau Claire, WI 54701.