Method 9

I used to chat a lot socially, until I started spending so much time in front of a computer at work. I think chat/IM is easy and what I like best is that it is one-on-one. I have used it in a library reference context and would consider doing so again...only if staff off-desk are responding to incoming questions. I believe it is difficult for a public library user, standing in front of a librarian at the reference desk, to be understanding when there is not another person visible, or a phone ringing. Otherwise, I think chat is fine for libraries that want to use it.