Purpose -This study seeks to identify the benefits, challenges and effective methods of implementing and managing a collaborative text reference service. Design/methodology/approach -The study employs the case study approach to examine the practice of the first nation-wide collaborative text reference service My Info Quest and evaluate the effectiveness of the organization and operation of this collaboration. Findings -Findings of the study indicate that librarians participating in My Info Quest are generally satisfied with the service organization and operation. However, more work is needed in the area of schedule accountability, communication and sustainability. Originality/value -My Info Quest is the first collaborative text reference service in the nation. Through the detailed depiction and evaluation of My Info Quest's experience, the paper can help interested libraries to gain a better understanding of how to establish a collaborative text reference service and what challenges they will be facing.

As the use of the Internet and time spent on the Internet by individuals grows, and the use of virtual worlds like Active Worlds and Second Life increases, the library needs to have an interactive place and role in these worlds as well as a bricks and mortar space. This article provides an overview of what some libraries are doing in these worlds, especially on a collaborative library project in Second Life that was set up by two of the authors, Bell and Pope. The authors discuss and share successes and challenges with the project, how libraries are very relevant in these worlds, and how they can create partnerships with educators.

The article explores the issues and opportunities for health sciences libraries surrounding the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) by healthcare professionals. Six general trends, issues, and opportunities are identified, as well as ten potential roles for libraries. Health science librarians need to explore various potential roles, then, based on an assessment of local needs and resources, determine the level and extent of their commitment to PDA support. The underlying support by health sciences libraries for handheld information seeking, information storage, computing, and communication at the point of need and care should remain strong and unflagging.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss text messaging services for libraries. Text messaging presents a new and exciting opportunity for libraries of all types to provide information to people of all ages on the go, where they are, on their cell phones.Design/methodology/approachBased on experiences in the USA, examples are presented of the service use, for example, Altarama, TextALibrarian, AIM.FindingsAlliance library system (ALS), a regional library system in central Illinois, is spearheading an effort to provide the nation's first collaborative text message reference service – InfoQuest – inviting libraries of all types and across the country (and internationally) to work together to increase coverage, reference expertise, and to allow libraries to test the service and the software before venturing out on their own.Originality/valueThis paper will be of interest to librarians, as the InfoQuest project described in it is giving libraries the opportunity to learn how to use the technology, work together to see how their patrons respond to the service, and share promotion and coverage.

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