Mosio launches Text a Librarian

By Giselle Abramovich

October 13, 2008

Keep in touch with your library via SMS

Mosio has launched Text a Librarian, a new service that helps libraries set up mobile Q&A systems so they can answer patrons’ questions via text message to any mobile phone.

Every year, libraries answer more than 374 million reference questions, according to the American Library Association. Americans text almost twice as much as they talk on mobile phones, according to a recent Nielsen Mobile Survey, making it a preferred means of communication while on-the-go.

“Libraries need to communicate with their partners using the communication tools that they use on a daily basis,” said Noel Chandler, founder/CEo of Mosio, San Francisco. “Text a Librarian enables libraries to set up quick and cost-effective mobile reference services to accommodate that need.

Until now, setting up a mobile text communications network for a library or school was a daunting process. It was also expensive and negotiations with wireless carriers, made it complicated.

With Text a Librarian, any library or school can create their own secure, live mobile Q&A SMS reference service in just minutes, with packages starting at just $99/month plus set up fees per library or branch.

Text a Librarian works across all major carriers, mobile phones and devices, and works with existing email and IM systems.

Students and users simply text (or email) their question and it shows up live on the library or school’s own private and secure Web dashboard for them to answer back instantly.

“Mobility is a way of life for most students and increasingly for society in general, making the way in which we stay connected a central issue for many schools and libraries,” said Mr. Chandler said.

“Text a Librarian leverages Mosio’s Q&A platform to make it possible for students and patrons to tap into the wealth of knowledge of local librarians from their mobile phones, keeping patron information private and secure,” he said.

Beta test clients include public libraries, schools and top Universities, including UC Berkeley and the University of Kansas.

Mosio has received numerous accolades for its mobile Q&A technology, including the prestigious SXSW Interactive Award for Mobile.

Mosio.com is a mobile Q&A community that provides quick and fun answers to life’s questions on-the-go.

“It’s a software-as-a-service,” Mr. Chandler said. “We are helping libraries reach their patrons wherever they are.

“The mobile phone has the ability to extend libraries’ reach beyond their walls and beyond those of the Internet,” he said.