Ask a Librarian banner with logo, Florida's Statewide Virtual Reference Service. Chat, Email, and Text.

Are you a Meebo User? Switch to Ask A Librarian!

Jun 27, 2012 | , , ,

If you are using Meebo Messenger, the service will be shutting down on July 11th.  Are you looking for a replacement to chat with your students or patrons?  Then Ask A Librarian is the switch you are looking for.  Ask A Librarian can provide you with the same chat availability by embedding a widget on your library website. Ask A Librarian is a free service funded through the Florida Electronic Library: As Florida’s collaborative virtual reference service, Ask A Librarian allows users to connect with librarians via live chat, texting, and email for assistance with reference questions and research.  Ask A Librarian is funded under the provisions of the LSTA from the IMLS and administered through the State Library of Florida. The service offers participating libraries FREE collaborative software, a local desk option, and an email management system. We also provide in-depth statistical reports. Widgets and Instant Invite: Widgets, embedded links making interactive chat seamless, and Instant Invite, a proactive chatting service, make Ask A Librarian an integral part of your virtual reference program.  Statistics have shown a significant increase in local chat for libraries that use Instant Invites and have a widget embedded on their site. Widgets:

  • Option to set up and chat similar to Meebo Messenger
  • Customize your widget with your library colors, fonts, and themes
  • Availability to embed on multiple website pages including Primo and LibGuides
  • Set up to chat or email if a librarian in unavailable

Instant Invite

  • Many customization options available
  • Enables librarians to proactively invite website visitors to chat with librarians
  • Allows you to set up conditional rules for pop-ups based on time, location, and context

Mobile Ask a Librarian: Ask A Librarian is also optimized for use on mobile devices and tablets.  Check out this short video to see the mobile version! Get Started:Looking to get started with Ask A Librarian?  Please contact Jessica Riggins for more information at rigginsj@tblc.org or 813-622-8252 ext. 226  

Is your Library Website Mobile Friendly?

Jun 25, 2012 | ,

Does your library have a mobile page deployed on their website? If so, you can add an Ask a Librarian link! Ask a Librarian has a mobile friendly site allowing users to easily access their local library to chat, email or text right from their device!

We have designed a mobile friendly image for libraries to use. Please feel free to add this to your site as well. Download the image here.

 

If you need help or have a question, please email, Jessica Riggins.

Here is a list of custom URL’s for each library’s mobile local portal page:

Library Mobile EZ-URLs List

(more readable URL which redirects to longer portal/local page URL)

LibraryEZ-URL
Alachua County Library Districtaskalibrarian.mobi/alachua
American InterContinental Universityaskalibrarian.mobi/aiu
Ana G. Mendez State University Systemaskalibrarian.mobi/suagm
Anthem Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/anthem
Art Institute of Tampaaskalibrarian.mobi/ait
Barry Universityaskalibrarian.mobi/barry
Baptist College of Floridaaskalibrarian.mobi/bcf
Bartow Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/bartow
Bay County Public Library/Northwest Regionalaskalibrarian.mobi/baycounty
Bethune-Cookman Universityaskalibrarian.mobi/bethunecookman
Brevard Community Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/brevardcc
Brevard County Librariesaskalibrarian.mobi/brevard
Broward Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/browardc
Broward County Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/broward  
Bruton Memorial Library (Plant City)askalibrarian.mobi/bruton
Cambridge Institute of Allied Health & Technologyaskalibrarian.mobi/cambridge
College of Central Floridaaskalibrarian.mobi/cf
Charlotte County Library Systemaskalibrarian.mobi/charlotte
Chipola Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/chipola
Citrus County Library Systemaskalibrarian.mobi/citrus
Clay County Library Systemaskalibrarian.mobi/clay
Collier County Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/collier
Daytona State Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/daytona
Delray Beach Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/delraybeach
Dunedin Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/dunedin
East Lake Community Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/eastlake
Edison State Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/edison
Eustis Memorial Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/eustis
Everest Universityaskalibrarian.mobi/everest
Everglades Universityaskalibrarian.mobi/everglades
Florida A&M Universityaskalibrarian.mobi/famu
Florida State College at Jacksonvilleaskalibrarian.mobi/fscj
Florida Gulf Coast Universityaskalibrarian.mobi/fgcu
Florida International Universityaskalibrarian.mobi/fiu
Florida Keys Community Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/fkcc
Florida Memorial Universityaskalibrarian.mobi/fmu
FSU Librariesaskalibrarian.mobi/fsulibraries
Florida Virtual Schoolaskalibrarian.mobi/fvs
Fort Walton Beach Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/fwb
Goldstein Library (FSU)askalibrarian.mobi/fsu
Gulf Coast State Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/gcsc
Gulfport Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/gulfport
Hernando County Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/hernando
Hialeah Public Librariesaskalibrarian.mobi/hialeah
Hillsborough Community Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/hcc
Hodges Universityaskalibrarian.mobi/hodges
Indian River State Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/irsc
Jacksonville Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/jpl
Keiser University Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/keiser
Florida Gateway Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/fgc
Lake County Library Systemaskalibrarian.mobi/lakecounty
Lake Sumter Community Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/lscc
Lake Wales Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/lakewales
Lake Worth Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/lakeworth
Lee County Library Systemaskalibrarian.mobi/lee
Leroy Collins Leon County Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/leon
Maitland Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/maitland
Manatee County Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/manatee
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beachaskalibrarian.mobi/westpalm
Marion County Public Library Systemaskalibrarian.mobi/marion
Martin County Library Systemaskalibrarian.mobi/martin
Miami Dade Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/mdc
Miami Dade Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/mdpls
Monroe County Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/monroe
Nassau County Public Library Systemaskalibrarian.mobi/nassau
New College of Floridaaskalibrarian.mobi/ncf
North Florida Community Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/nfcc
New Port Richey Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/npr
Niceville Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/niceville
North Miami Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/northmiami
North Palm Beach Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/npb
Northwest Florida State Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/nwfsc
Nova Southeastern Universityaskalibrarian.mobi/nova
Orange County Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/orange
Osceola Library Systemaskalibrarian.mobi/osceola
Palm Beach Atlantic Universityaskalibrarian.mobi/pba
Palm Beach State Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/pbstate
Palm Beach County Library Systemaskalibrarian.mobi/palmbeach
Palm Harbor Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/palmharbor
Parkland Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/parkland
Pasco – Hernando Community Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/phcc
Pasco County Library Systemaskalibrarian.mobi/pasco
Pensacola State Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/pensacolastate
Pinellas Park Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/pinellaspark
Polk State Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/psc
Saint Leo University, Cannon Memorial Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/saintleo
Sanford-Brown Universityaskalibrarian.mobi/sanford
Sanibel Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/sanibel
Santa Fe Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/sfcollege
Santa Rosa Countyaskalibrarian.mobi/santarosa
Sarasota County Library Systemaskalibrarian.mobi/sarasota
Seminole County Library Systemaskalibrarian.mobi/seminole
Seminole State College of Floridaaskalibrarian.mobi/sscf
South Florida Community Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/southfloridacc
Southeastern Universityaskalibrarian.mobi/southeastern
St Johns County Public Library Systemaskalibrarian.mobi/stjohns
St Johns River State Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/sjrstate
St Lucie County Library Systemaskalibrarian.mobi/stlucie
St Petersburg Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/spc
St Petersburg Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/stpetersburg
State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasotaaskalibrarian.mobi/scfms
School District of Palm Beach Countywww.askalibrarian.mobi/palmbeachschool
State Library of Floridaaskalibrarian.mobi/state
Suwannee River Regional Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/suwannee
Tallahassee Community Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/tcc
Tampa Hillsborough Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/hillsborough
University of Central Floridaaskalibrarian.mobi/ucf
University of Florida Libraries, Smathersaskalibrarian.mobi/uf
USF Librariesaskalibrarian.mobi/usf
USF Polytechnicaskalibrarian.mobi/usfp
USF St. Petersburgaskalibrarian.mobi/usfsp
University of Tampaaskalibrarian.mobi/ut
Valencia Collegeaskalibrarian.mobi/valencia
Volusia County Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/volusia
West Florida Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/wfpl
Wilderness Coast Public Librariesaskalibrarian.mobi/wild
Winter Haven Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/winterhaven
Winter Park Public Libraryaskalibrarian.mobi/wppl

June AAL Superstar Award

Jun 14, 2012 | ,

Lena Phelps

Lena Phelps, June 2012 AAL Superstar

Our first winner is Lena Phelps, Chair of Library Services at South Florida Community College Library. Lena always goes above and beyond her duties on the statewide desk, jumping on to help her colleagues or picking up extra shifts. Her enthusiasm for the statewide program is very energetic. Her hard work never goes unnoticed on  Ask a Librarian! Please help me welcome this month’s winner, Lena Phelps!

Ask a Librarian Texting Webinars

Jun 12, 2012 | , , , , , ,

Confused about Texting in Ask a Librarian? Register today for a Texting Webinar:

Monday, October 15, 10-11 am ET

 Space is still available in these Ask a Librarian Texting webinars, which offer staff a step-by-step reminder of how texting works in Ask a Librarian. Find out exactly what your patrons or students need to do in order to ask a question via text for your library, and learn how Ask a Librarian staff answer those text questions in the Ask a Librarian software.

Last Chance Webinars in Ask a Librarian!

Jun 11, 2012 | , , , , ,

E-Gov and the Get Help Florida Website
Monday, June 11, 2012 (registration closing soon!)
2-3 pm ET

Ask a Librarian Email Workshop
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
2:30-3:30 pm ET

Florida Digital Newspaper Library
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
10:30-11:30 am ET

Site Coordinator Drupal Workshop
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
2-3 pm ET

Time is ticking for these upcoming webinars, so why risk it? Register today!

AAL Superstar Award

Jun 7, 2012 | ,

Each month, the Ask a Librarian team will pick an outstanding member that has shown exceptional participation in the program.  We see how hard you are working to make this statewide program work, and we want to acknowledge your commitment to the program. Many of you continuously step up in tough times, whether it is picking up an extra shift or helping a colleague on the statewide desk when others are busy. We see how you market AAL to your patrons and students to promote the program. This shows a commendable effort on your part to help AAL provide exemplary service month after month. We will announce an AAL Superstar at the beginning of each month. We will also highlight the winner’s accomplishments and dedication on the Ask a Librarian Blog and Facebook page. Once we announce the winner, we will send them the awesome AAL Superstar Plaque to display in their library. When the next winner is announced, the previous winner will help us celebrate the new winner by either passing the plaque onto them via the statewide delivery program, or sending it back to us at TBLC.

June AAL Superstar Award

Our first winner is Lena Phelps, Chair of Library Services at South Florida Community College. Lena always goes above and beyond her duties on the statewide desk, jumping on to help her colleagues or picking up extra shifts. Her enthusiasm for the statewide program is very energetic. Her hard work never goes unnoticed on  Ask a Librarian! Please help me welcome this month’s winner, Lena Phelps!  Don’t forget to send us a picture with the plaque, your hard work never goes unnoticed and we want your colleagues to see it!

Chat, Text, and Email Statistics – May 2012

Jun 6, 2012 | ,

May 2012 Stats

Usage Summary

askalibrarian.mobi Mobile Chat Sessions179
Standard Chat Sessions2,840
Instant Invite Chat Sessions57
Widget Chat Sessions1138
Total Chat Sessions4,214
E-mail Sessions1,595
Text Sessions483
May 2012 total sessions6,290
Fiscal 2011-201258,912
Total use 2010-201275,712
Participating Libraries120

Top entry by chat

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

Training

  • Total Trained: 88
  • Number of Sessions: 5
  • Classes Offered:

Live Chat

Local Desks1,096
Academic300
Collaborative2,818
Total Chat4,214

Local Stats by Entry Point

  1. Chat by Entry Point
  2. Email by Entry Point
  3. Text by Entry Point

Widgets

Ask a Librarian widgets embedded on a web page allow your patrons to chat, text, or email without leaving your website. The Ask a Librarian SmartButton indicates whether chat is being staffed. Choose from the pool of existing designs, or tell us your preferred characteristics and color scheme for a truly customizable user feature. An iframe tag places the AaL hosted widget anywhere on your page, although it’s also possible to use our documentation to place the code on your own hosted page without using an iframe.

This widget was created for SCFMS and is on their Primo page.

Instant Invite

Instant Invite is a proactive chat that can be set it up so when a patron arrives on a library page the chat will pop onto the screen. Or if they run a search in the catalog and receive no results, a pop up will ask them if they want to chat with a librarian. Everything about this can be customized. Find out more about Instant Invite. Contact us if you would like to set one up for your library.