University of Michigan Library pilots IM service

Via Sherri

I am tickled that they are piloting and being so up front:

“During Fall semester 2005, Ask Us Now! will pilot a new enhanced real-time reference component using AOL Instant Messenger (AIM). If you do not have the AOL Instant Messenger installed on your computer, we recommend that you use the “classic” Ask Us Now! service.

Help us evaluate instant messaging with AOL’s IM software! The University Library is conducting a pilot of IM for answering your library- and research-related questions.”

I hope the students, staff and faculty use the service and the library reports out on their pilot. If you are pondering such a pilot — and you should be! — look at their informative pages for guidelines and inspiration.

I wonder how their “Ask Us Now” service will fare if IM takes off?