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September 10, 2009

How tweet it is: Atlantic County Library begins texting patrons

Press of Atlantic City
Posted: Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Not all those teenager text messages are about boyfriends, girlfriends and drama.

One or two of them might get some of the youths to the library.

The Atlantic County Library System and the New Jersey State Library are starting a 6-month pilot program that sends text messages with library-related updates - ranging from meeting notices to information about new programs - to cellular phones and other mobile communications systems. Program participants say the Mobile Communications Pilot Program, which will initially target teenagers and the parents of young children, is a potentially groundbreaking endeavor.

"This is the first program of its kind for libraries in the nation," state library marketing director Nancy Dowd said in a prepared statement. "The Atlantic County Library System is a pioneer in our field. Their work will help libraries across the country learn more about this medium and provide the groundwork for future campaigns.

"Mobile phone usage is at the leading edge of a cultural change in communications. The New Jersey State Library realizes communication networks are continually evolving and it's important for libraries to keep up on those technologies that will help them reach existing customers, as well as inform new people of how libraries can help them."

"We are excited to be a part of this new initiative," said Atlantic County Library System Director William Paullin.

Under the program, which is being funded by the state library, teenagers and parents of young children can sign up to get the text messages from individual county library branches in Brigantine, Egg Harbor City, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway Township, Hammonton, Mays Landing, Pleasantville, Longport, Somers Point and Ventnor, or for system-wide information. Participants can drop out of the program at any time.

The library doesn't charge for the service, although regular text-messaging fees do apply.

Karen George, the county library's assistant director, said the program will start with one or two text messages a month, and could increase to about four a month.

However, she said the number of text messages won't be excessive.

"People have to pay for this," George said. "We don't want to impact on that, or be a nuisance."

The new program is just another way to get the library's message out, she said.

"People think about us as books and quiet places," George said. "We are that, but we have so much more than we can offer."

Information about the program is available by visiting or calling the county library branches, and at the county library Web site at www.atlanticlibrary.org.

Posted by tumulty at September 10, 2009 2:57 PM

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