To IM or not to IM?

I know, I know -- the title of this post is bad play on words (and an even greater insult to our library users who's expectation for this form of virtual reference service is already there). But if your library's not convinced of the merits of IM yet, then you need to read up on some success stories here...

• Self-Monitoring Questions: A Report on IM Refererence, Tame the Web (SJCPL stats)
  
• The Practical Side of IM Reference, Librarian in Black (Marin County Free Library stats)
• IM Reference: What We've Learned, Homer Township Public Library (ppt file)
  
• IM Me, Library Journal, April 2005
  
• List of Libraries doing IM reference, Library Success Wiki

More info:
Instant Messaging Overview, TechEssence blog
Library Success Wiki: Online Reference

BTW: In addition to adding your comments, please feel free to also IM me with your thoughts. :) Yahoo IM: hblowers_plcmc

Technorati Tags: IM reference, Library 2.0