Library texts

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss how text messaging offers a variety of ways to stay vital and visible to younger patrons with whom libraries most need to establish a relationship to ensure their future. Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses narrowcasting, one‐to‐one communication and reference queries, all methods of text messaging Findings – Even with the inherent drawbacks of message length and the incurring of charges by library users, there seems to be a place for text messaging services within the library framework. Because of the portability, popularity and pervasiveness of cell phones among our users, particularly our younger ones, this service is a way for us to stay current. Originality/value – The paper provides an original viewpoint on how text messaging could be used in libraries.