This document discusses using WhatsApp for library services. It outlines how libraries can use WhatsApp to provide services like alerts, videos, book locations, reference help and more. Some key services mentioned include circulating new titles, notifying users of overdue books, fines and renewals. The document also notes limitations like always needing an internet connection and inability to block users. It provides examples of libraries in Hong Kong and Israel that offer WhatsApp reference services.

1. Smart Librarians

2. WHATS APP FOR SMART LIBRARIAN
Dheeraj singh negi
dheerajnegi3@gmail.com

3.  WhatsApp is an instant messaging app
for smartphones that operates under a subscription
business model. The proprietary, cross-
platform app uses the Internet to send text
messages, images, video, user location and audio
media messages.
 In January 2015, WhatsApp was the most
globally popular messaging app with more than 800
million active users. In April 2015, WhatsApp
reached 800 million active users.
 WhatsApp Inc., based in Mountain View, California,
was acquired by Facebook on February 19, 2014,
for approx. US$22 billion

4. WHATS APP LIBRARY SERVICES
 Library Alerting services
 Library Video (Lecture, Seminar, Workshop)
 Library Location, Book location
 Audio massage
 Procurement of Books
 New Arrivals
 Ask librarian Chat
 Library Image , Notice, Timing
 Librarian Group etc.

5.  Libraries might use WhatsApp SMS services in the
following domains
 To send Whats App SMS to collect the requested
books
 Reminding the user if, book is due in his/her
account; informing user about the exact fine.
 Acknowledging the user about renewal of a book.
 OPAC service.
 Users may request the opening and closing hours
of the library.

6.  Suggest a purchase
Librarian can receive the suggestions from the
users sent via mobile phones. In such cases users
need not to visit the libraries and write the
requirements in a register.
 Location of the library
Users might be provided with virtual tours of the
library sections and their services.
 For instance, Library of Congress provides an
application prepared for the iPhone users which gives a
virtual tour of Library of Congress that mirrors the main
reading room, the great hall, the bible collection etc.

7.  Audio Tour
Libraries even can provide audio tour of a library. For
example, University of Limerick library, Ireland provides
audio guidelines to the library users (University of
Limerick Library, 2012).
 New Title Preview
Mobile gadgets can be used to disseminate the
information about newly acquired documents which are
of irrespective of forms.
 Image Services
The Image Services in a library might offer a number of
high quality, fee based photographic and document
imaging services including digitized photographs,
diagrams, maps, photos of places of national
importance. .

8.  Research consultation and instruction
It is a kind of customer care service. Research scholars
may have an interaction with the library staff to get the
consultation and get suggestions via mobile phones.
 Wi-fi - Internet Access
 Mobile phones are available with 3G facility.
 Libraries can offer wi-fi facility to access electronic information
sources.
 Ask to librarian
Libraries can provide ask the librarian on whats Apps
University of Hongkong has made a whatsapp service
center from the mobile device. The service can be
viewed by accessing the URL -
https://lib.hku.hk/infoservices/whatsapp.html

9.  News and Events
 Information on job openings, varieties of scholarly
competition, library events such as orientations program,
stock verification, book recall, lectures on special topic, news
in relation to scholarly work, awards and so on can be given
using mobile devices in order to update the user’s knowledge
 Short messages regarding the library events and news can
be sent to the users personally.
 Reference service
 Library users can ask librarians anything through the live chat
and texting with WhatsApp Apps mobiles. The reference
services can be provided with the help of sending and
receiving SMS. Immediate feedback is also possible from the
user’s side.
 https://www.lib.polyu.edu.hk/about-us/contacts/ask-
us/whatsapp

10.  Mobile phones are inevitable tools for information
communication.
 Human beings in a society use mobile phone to communicate
thoughts, facts, conversations, in general, information.
 The dissemination of processed information is a common
factor in a civilized society.
 Several organizations such as libraries, documentations
centers involved in this process.
 Libraries especially use several tools and techniques to
circulate the information to the user community. At the same
time, libraries should be advertised.
 For this purpose the use of technology is very essential.
Mobile technology has become boon to the libraries.
 A library may reach the remote users effectively by adopting of
mobile Apps technology in its services.

11. WHATSAPP LIMITATIONS
 Needs your phone to be on and connected to
the internet
 Doesn't support browsers other than Google
Chrome
 You can't block users
 You can't create and leave groups

12. SOME LIBRARY USING WHATSAPP LIBRARY
SERVICES
 https://www.lib.polyu.edu.hk/about-us/contacts/ask-
us/whatsapp
 https://en-soclib.tau.ac.il/WhatsApp
 https://lib.hkuhk/infoservices/whatsapp.html