1. iGS information Gas Station

2. iGS iGS is designed to be a movable information station in two parts; self service ”pumps” and a double-sided service unit. People can come to the station with their questions and problems or they can send questions to the station by email, SMS etc.

3. Media Piazza of SanomaWSOY Publishing House

4. iGS: Starting Points 1.Establish a place and premices for personal face to face service 2.Promote information service 3.Test mobility

5. Project 2002 on tour 2001: at the Lasipalatsi Film and Media Centre Funded by the Access to Learning Award (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 2000) iGS started in 30th January 2001

6. 1. Personal Service [1] Self service is the trend of today –lending, payment etc. Often self service is better service –avoid queues by lending desk –not personal control: ”Don’t look what I read”

7. 1. Personal Service [2] ”Everybody can search information all information by Google”  on the contrary, valid information is not easy to find Oversupply of information Licenced resources and databases Peoples’ routine ways on their information behaviour  demand for knowledge on possibilities and effective or manysided ways of search

8. 1. Personal Service [3] Traditional model: Librarian is a gatekeeper iGS model: Librarian is a consult Customer have to decide which information is relevant –->at every phase of search process (not only final results)

9. Side by Side Why ”iGS” brand? At a good old gas station you get your windscreeen cleaned, and so in information Gas Station, if your screen is dusty

10. 2. Promote Information Service Motto: ”Ask anything” –Widen the range of ”librarish” information needs Citizen's Special Assistant –lack of skills –lack of time

11. Principles Facta is given if possible, not only references Limits of factual answers: health, laws etc.  refer to the specialist on the basis of common sense

12. 3. Mobility Mobile service at virtual –customers information needs arise ”on the road” and they want send questions from anywhere Movable unit –we move along the road –to places we are needed ”The librarian with the portable computer”?

13. SMS People can send questions ”on the road” Answers are directed back to the mobile telephone 160 characters (also the answers) Charge of 0,84 €

14. Team ~10 persons work for iGS, mostly at their own libraries Experiences transfer in a natural way to the everyday life and enrich their home libraries On tour: 1-2 person work at the station, others work by remote service

15. Tours: Work at the Info Station ”Gigs” and breaks variate Guests can visit physically, but within limited time and place Helsinki Railway Station, Shopping Centers, Service Houses for Senior Citizens, Media Piazza of Sanoma Publishing House, Book Fairs etc

16. iGS arrivals by lorry

17. Construct of two identic elements

18. Model of neon ligth from old Gas Station

19. In one hour construction is ready

20. Connection via cable, ADSL, WLAN

21. Remote Service Continuous and non-stop work besides one’s regular work Service also at weekends (some members of the team work on sundays)

22. Top Subjects 2002 iGS SMS Languages, words... 7 % Health............. 5 % People............. 5 % Music.............. 5 % Geography, places.. 4 % Food & drinks...... 4 % N=778 iGS Email Music.............8 % Languages, words..6 % IT................5 % Economy, business..4 % Health............4 % Authors,litterature4 % N=3942 60 subject categories

23. Volumes 2001-2003 Virtual questions in a day All servicesTotal 7764 2001: 2978 2002: 4786 *)

24. Who Are They? ”Regular customers” (have sent more than one questions) Heavy users

25. 2003 Economic cutbacks of the city The tours continue, but less On-line service on radio / TV

26. Conclusions iGS seem to be something special Personal service for those who need it All kinds of information needs are wellcome A paradox of information society: –information has become easier to reach for professionals, but ordinary citizens are more confused –10 years ago this kind of service could not be possible

27. http://igs.kirjastot.fi/ (finnish) http://igs.kirjastot.fi/index3.html (in english)