Reference and IM: oppossites attract?

I think that this blog may sound a lot like the first part of my last one, minus the really long rant that took place at the end of that one. So basically, I think using IM in combination with reference resources at the library would be extremely beneficial on a practical level. I don't think it's an absolute must have, and honestly cannot see its purpose beyond use as reference and to communicate among co-workers at a library.
As a reference tool it could allow librarians to interact with struggling patrons in a way that they have never been able to before even in face to face conversations. I don't think that IM should permanently replace email and other reference resources though; at least not yet. But they might compliment each other very well in a library setting.