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
| Top entry by chat
Training
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 Stats by Entry PointProvides a breakdown for each member libraries individual chat, email and text message statistics. |
Yearly Comparison May 2013 vs May 2014 |
May 2014 AAL SuperStar
Each 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
| Top entry by chat
Training
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 Stats by Entry PointProvides a breakdown for each member libraries individual chat, email and text message statistics. Chat, Email, and Text |
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
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.
Need a refresher on how to answer chat, emails, or texts in Ask a Librarian?
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Ask a Librarian Mentoring Program
You’ve already attended training – but you just haven’t had much opportunity to practice or staff the chat reference desk… sound familiar?
Are you trying to staff chat now, but still feeling a little like a fish out of water?
Would you like someone to help you apply your knowledge and skills to the exciting world of chat reference?
The Ask a Librarian Mentoring Program can help.
Since 2009, the Ask a Librarian Mentoring Program has helped library staff apply their in-house knowledge to the virtual setting. From live, one-on-one guidance during actual patron chats to anytime-emails of reassurance or feedback and support, your mentor will work with you to meet your individual goals in chat reference on Ask a Librarian.
What is an Ask a Librarian Mentor?
Ask a Librarian Mentors are librarians, just like you, who have experience working with real patrons in live chat through Ask a Librarian. Your mentor is there to share his or her knowledge, experiences, and wisdom in conducting chat reference and using the Ask a Librarian software. Your mentor’s foremost goal is to help you – to encourage your comfort, growth, and achievement in a warm, supportive environment.
Who can beat that?!
What will I learn?
Your mentor will help you to navigate successfully through the software (such as pushing nifty Web pages to patrons), to feel more comfortable utilizing online resources that help you – and your patron – during chats, tips on building and maintaining patron rapport from their own personal experiences, and more.
How does it work?
We’ll find you your very own ‘seasoned pro’. Your Ask a Librarian Mentor can work with you in pretend-patron practice sessions to gently guide you toward a level of increased comfort and performance during chat. Your mentor will work with you to establish a plan of action that best fits your needs and schedule. From emails and phone calls to practice sessions and real-time assistance during actual patron chats, your mentor is there to help you succeed!
Where do I start?
Interested? Just fill out this form to become a mentee. This will be private – just between you & your mentor. What do you have to lose, but maybe a little anxiety or fluttering stomach? Virtual reference experience builds your professional growth and your experience portfolio, so take advantage of your peers’ generosity and increase your skill & comfort levels in Ask a Librarian.
Questions? Just contact Traci Avet Hector, Ask a Librarian Virtual Reference Coordinator, at avett@tblc.org.