July 2014 SuperStar

OCLS - July 2014 SuperStars

OCLS – July 2014 SuperStars

This month, we recognize a library system that has played an outstanding part in implementing Ask A Librarian.  July’s AAL SuperStar recipient is Orange County Library System.  

Orange County Library System is dedicated to the collaborative Ask A Librarian desk and is committed to staffing it. ​For several years, they have also had a strong presence staffing a daily local desk, encouraging local virtual reference for their public patrons.

Orange County Library System engages their users from multiple access points – in-person, phone, email, text and chat. The Ask A Librarian team would like to thank Orange County Public Library for integrating the virtual desk into your daily workflow and helping the service grow in new directions.  

Please help me congratulate this month’s AAL Superstar winner, Orange County Library System.

June 2014 SuperStar

Each month, the Ask a Librarian team picks an outstanding member that has shown exceptional participation in the program. June’s AAL SuperStar recipient is Kirsty Beauchamp, from State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota (SCF).

Kirsty is the Evening Reference Librarian at the Bradenton Campus at SCF Libraries. She has been nominated for several exemplary reference awards over the years.

Kirsty staffs four night shifts every week and always works to ensure her hours are what is best for the desk. She picks up extra shifts needing help on Collaborative, and she is always positive, pleasant, and engaging.

Kirsty is a joy to work with and a valuable team member for the AAL service. Please help me congratulate this month’s SuperStar winner, Kirsty Beauchamp, from State College of Florida.

May 2014 Statistics

Usage Summary

Mobile APP Chat Sessions11
askalibrarian.mobi Mobile Chat Sessions9
Standard Chat Sessions1,615
Instant Invite Chat Sessions114
Widget Chat Sessions1,168
Gale -Widget Chat Sessions217
Total Chat Sessions3,134
E-mail Sessions2,163
Text Sessions398
May 2014 total sessions5,695
Fiscal 2013-201458,638
Total use 2012 -201375,868
Participating Libraries131

Top entry by chat

  1. Florida State University
  2. Nova Southeastern University
  3. Orange County Library System
  4. Broward County Library System
  5. USF Libraries
  6. Jacksonville Public Library
  7. Tampa Hillsborough Public Library System
  8. St. Petersburg College
  9. University of Florida
  10. University of Central Florida

Training

  • Total Trained: 10
  • Number of Sessions: 3
  • Video On-Demand Views: 205
  • Classes Offered: Online Introductory Training Series, Drupal for Site Coordinators
  • Self Paced Registrants:18

Self-Paced Training Program

Learn everything you need to know in order to staff Ask a Librarian. Register Here. Once registered, you will receive instructions on how to begin your training within 24 business hours

Live Chat

Local Desks: 1,004
Academic: 242
Collaborative: 1,887
Total Chat: 3,133

Local Stats by Entry Point

Provides a breakdown for each member libraries individual chat, email and text message statistics.
Chat, Email, and Text

Yearly Comparison

Yearly Comparison

May 2013 vs May 2014

May 2014 AAL SuperStar

IMG_3482Each month, the Ask a Librarian team picks an outstanding member that has shown exceptional participation in the program. May’s AAL SuperStar recipients are Alyse Ergood and Lauri Rebar from Florida Atlantic University.

Alyse Ergood is an Associate University Librarian and Lauri Rebar is the Assistant University Librarian for Reference and Instruction. Lauri is also an October 2012 and October 2013 winner of a deatiled and teaching examplary reference award.

In addition to staffing ongoing weekly hours for FAU’s local desk, Lauri and Alyse frequently volunteer for the Ask a Librarian statewide Academic and Collaborative Desks, and they also hop on during emergency calls-for-help.  Alyse has provided extensive, one-on-one guidance to several Florida librarians in her role as Ask a Librarian Mentor. Alyse and Lauri are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and represent Florida Atlantic University in a truly positive light. They have assisted patrons across the state, and we are all appreciative of their help!

Alyse and Lauri are a wonderful team and a dynamic duo for the program!

Please help me congratulate this month’s SuperStar winners, Alyse Ergood and Lauri Rebar !

April 2014 Statistics

Usage Summary

Mobile APP Chat Sessions8
askalibrarian.mobi Mobile Chat Sessions120
Standard Chat Sessions2,529
Instant Invite Chat Sessions228
Widget Chat Sessions1,920
Gale -Widget Chat Sessions302
Total Chat Sessions5,107
E-mail Sessions2,318
Text Sessions408
April 2014 total sessions7,833
Fiscal 2013-201452,943
Total use 2012 -201375,868
Participating Libraries131

Top entry by chat

  1. Florida State University
  2. St. Petersburg College
  3. Orange County Public Library
  4. NOVA Southeastern University
  5. University of South Florida
  6. Tampa Hillsborough Public Library
  7. University of Florida
  8. Jacksonville Public Library
  9. Broward County Public Library
  10. State College of Florida

Training

  • Total Trained: 11
  • Number of Sessions: 3
  • Video On-Demand Views: 91
  • Classes Offered: Online Introductory Training Series, Drupal for Site Coordinators
  • Self Paced Registrants: 19

Self-Paced Training Program Learn everything you need to know in order to staff Ask a Librarian. Register Here. Once registered, you will receive instructions on how to begin your training within 24 business hours

Live Chat

Local Desks: 1,753 
Academic: 571 
Collaborative: 2,783 
Total Chat: 5,107 

Local Stats by Entry Point

Provides a breakdown for each member libraries individual chat, email and text message statistics. Chat, Email, and Text

Yearly Comparison

Yearly Comparison

April 2013 vs April 2014

December 2013 Exemplary Reference Awards

The Quality Assurance Workgroup is happy to award the following transcripts for the December 2013 Exemplary Reference Awards.

Brief Exemplary Reference Award: Lindsey Wharton, Florida Keys Community College

Lindsey knew exactly where to retrieve the information for this brief transaction. She further elaborated of the differences between symbols and metaphors. The student left happy with the information they received.

Detailed Exemplary Reference Award: Greg Sidberry, Nova Southeastern University

Greg worked diligently to find more information for a patron who was doing genealogy research. Greg established a friendly interaction with the patron who was grateful for the time he took to try and further her knowledge of the person she was researching. Excellent job!

Salena Coller

Salena Coller

Teaching Exemplary Reference Award: Salena Coller, Sanford-Brown Institute 

Salena led her patron to a good database for her topic, suggested search strategies, helped the patron refine her searches and THEN helped her find a great resource for another assignment and discussed availability of resources for that assignment. A lot packed into a session!

 

 

Transcripts: The three winning transcripts can be read on the toolbox website. 

Each month we receive numerous nominations for fantastic reference. Here are the other nominees.

Brief Chat:

Maggie H, FSU Libraries
Janice B, Lee County
Lisa, Keiser University
David G, Jersey College
Robin B, Hernando

Detailed Chat:

Ingrid, Pasco Hernando CC –
Beth K, Valencia College
Kristen J, Polk State
Jan S, UF

Teaching Chat:

Kira, Ask A Librarian Staff
Jaime G, Ask A Librarian Staff
Lori L, Lee County
Eric, Florida Keys CC

Nominate: Show your statewide colleagues that you value the customer service they provide to your patrons and students with a nomination. You can nominate yourself or your co-workers sessions in the Ask a Librarian Toolbox at: https://info.askalibrarian.org/toolbox/exemplaryreference/nominatetranscript/ or when closing a live chat session.

THANK YOU!

A huge thanks to everyone for all their hard work on Ask a Librarian – without each of you, Ask a Librarian would not be a success.

Now, That’s Pinteresting: A Tips from the Trenches Webinar

Tips from the Trenches: Now, That’s Pinteresting
Monday, April 21, 2014 10:30 – 11:00 am ET

In this webinar, you’ll learn how one library uses Pinterest to connect and share with patrons and other libraries. With over 2,000 followers and over 1,000 pins, the Niceville Public Library knows how to connect! Learn from Lora Glass, Head of Reference & Interlibrary Loan at Niceville Public Library, who will explain what it is, how it works, and what she does to maintain such a fantastic Pinterest page.

Tips from the Trenches:

Because what better way to learn about helpful resources than to hear from the library staff who are actually using them?

Can’t attend the live class on April 21st? Register here for access to the recording, available within 7 days of the live event.

Questions about the Tips from the Trenches series? Contact Ask a Librarian Virtual Reference Coordinator Traci Avet Hector at avett@tblc.org with questions or topic suggestions.