Starting now, answers to San Jose residents with burning library reference questions are just a text away.
All you have to do is send a message to 66746, and start off with "A-s-k-S-J."
San Jose librarians will be at the ready with an answer, which will also be sent via text.
Your questions must be fairly straightforward so that it can be answered succinctly.
And while you might not think their is a desire for this kind of 4-1-1 info, the library says it received 16 texts by 4 p.m. Monday.
They answered everything from population queries to a question on the meaning of life.
Among the questions:
- How many Sharks games will be on Comcast? (Answer: 73)
- Where can I buy a smiley face waffle iron? (Answer: Amazon had a good price)
- Who is the current leader of Canada? (Answer: Stephen Joseph Harper)
The librarians seemed to be having fun with the new way of reaching out to the public.
The San Jose Public Library is participating in a pilot program that allows residents to text their queries and receive a quick response from San Jose Public Library and San Jose State University librarians.
The service will be available Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., but the texts funnel in to a queue so overnight inquires will probably be answered the following day.
Anyone with a cell phone can use the service. While the library does not charge a fee for the answers, phone providers' standard messaging rates will apply.
