St. Louis Public Library

Have you tried the new "Text a Librarian" reference service available through the St. Louis Public Library?

Text a Librarian allows patrons to text a simple question to the Library from their mobile phone. Librarians answer questions on a web-based interface, keeping a "live archive" of all the questions and answers. The service does not display phone numbers and generates an anonymous ID for each patron in order to reference conversation history and is available Monday, 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Text a Librarian is excellent for asking quick, simple questions that can be answered in short responses. Librarians will respond to your text questions within two hours. However, questions received after hours or on holidays will receive an automated response and will be answered when service hours resume.

To send a question via text messaging: Text 66746 and start the first message with the keyword askslpl followed by a space. Type the question and press "Send." Save 66746 in your contacts as askslpl.

Example: askslpl: What time does the Carpenter Branch close today?

Patrons need only to include the askslpl the first time they send a question. Patrons' cell phone provider's standard rates apply.

For more involved questions, please call the Library at (314) 539-0350 or email webref@slpl.org. Persons may also ask questions in person at any of the St. Louis Public Library Branches or by live chat from the slpl.org website.

Text a Librarian was developed by Mosio, an award-winning mobile technology company that enables companies and institutions to harness the power of mobile communications.

St. Louis Public Library

City of St. Louis