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Instant Messaging on the Reference Desk Sarah Maximiek and Erin Rushton [email_address] [email_address] Binghamton University November 2, 2006
Chat with a Librarian 2003- 2004
Ask a Librarian July 2004 - July 2005  Docutek software Patron required to fill out form before submitting question Librarians required to sign into Docutek at beginning of reference shift. Low usage  Unreliable service
Instant Messaging Task Force Creation of Instant Messaging Task Force in March 2005 Service considerations Offer service in both Libraries Use software popular with students Simple, easy to use Fast to implement
Problems and Solutions  Problems How to support multiple IM services without multiple windows?  How to minimize software downloads on staff and public PCs?  Solutions Multi-protocol IM client.
Software considerations Compatible with different operating systems (Mac, Linux, Windows)  Secure  No System/IT conflicts Availability of useful features (e.g. transcripts, scripted messages, statistics, etc.).
Trillian   Supports AIM, ICQ, MSN, Gtalk, and Yahoo Messenger. Supports file transfers, group chats, typing notification and emoticons  Saves transcripts automatically as .txt files Basic version available for free  Displays connectivity to accounts in the system tray.
Monitored accounts  Buddies
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油
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Launching the Service  Discussed concerns at Reference meetings Encouraged librarians to set up and use IM accounts in Trillian. Created IM accounts in AOL, Yahoo and MSN for Science Library and Bartle Library  Conducted a training session covering Trillian and IM use Updated reference privacy policy  http://library.lib.binghamton.edu/webdocs/policies.html #referenceprivacy
Staffing  Staffed by Reference Desk staff (grad students, librarians and professionals) Desk hours differ, but we share staffing to ensure equal coverage Use email alerts (Outlook) to remind when to sign on to accounts
Ask a Librarian June 2005 -  Created IM Pilot Page and Ask a Librarian page Launched IM pilot reference service in June 2005 Discontinued Docutek Chat in July 2005
油
Marketing  Featured on Libraries web page, blogs and newsletter Highlighted in  Whats New in the Libraries  exhibit Discussed at orientation fairs for new students and parents
Marketing (2) Featured on library bookmarks  Discussed in articles and advertising about the Libraries in the student newspaper
Hows it going so far. Some observations  Over 400 questions answered since launch of service Most questions from AOL (~90%)  Repeat patrons Patrons seem to like the service   the im chat option is terrific, pass it along :)
Hows it going so far. Some observations (2) Lack of technical support from IM providers IM interface is not robust IM communication challenges: Informal Lack of visual clues Quick Hanging sessions
Hows it going so far. Some observations (3) Staffing Can  monitor at desk with current staffing levels Reminders are valuable when sharing service coverage Exposure to IM gets staff more comfortable with using it
Hows it going so far. Some observations (4) Marketing blitz not necessary.  Word gets out. Learn as you go service  Need to overcome idea that it is an inferior service  Students will IM more then one account with the same question Librarians use IM internally
Hows it going so far. Some observations (5) No excessive emoticons or abbreviations  Patrons are willing to wait if the staff is busy Session lengths vary  Teachable moments Patrons use the IM service to ask a variety of questions
Questions from IM Hi, I was wondering if it costs anything to print something in the library.  hey- can u tell me if a book is on reserve?  Hi. Who is this? (student forgot who the username belonged to)
Questions from IM (2) i'm trying to locate spanish language cds and i'm unable to narrow down my search results enough to find them - any suggestions?  Hi, I help finding articles for one of my classes.  I heard some kids talking about "jstar" or something like that.  Do you know where I can find this?
Questions from IM (3) Hello. I need help finding two articles on food or agriculture for my environmental studies class.  I would like to know more about nys laws concerning monetary transactions.  I received a receipt with the wrong date.  Basically, I would like to know if that mistake would make the receipt invalid.  I am looking for sites related to Aids. I would appreciate if you could suggest me databases I should go through
Future Directions  Commit to IM reference  Explore other depts using IM for patron help Investigate co-browsing software (JYBE)  RAQIM  Meebo  Conduct in-depth analysis of questions
Assessment Goals Statistical data e.g. traffic, audience, length of session Types of questions asked  Resources used to answer questions Correctness and completeness of answers
Assessment Outcomes Evaluate quality of service (e.g. RUSA Behaviour Guidelines) Evaluate website design and navigation  Evaluate staffing levels  Determine need for FAQs or other help  Determine need for electronic reference sources
Transcript Analysis Created form in Access Database Created Access queries Printed and numbered transcripts (July 2005  July 2006) Created coding guide  Tested 30 transcripts  Solicited reference volunteers
Discoveries Challenging endeavor  Quality is sometimes subjective Necessary to double analyze many transcripts Ongoing process  form and coding sheet can be revised forever; different judgments on correctness and completeness of questions

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  • 1. Instant Messaging on the Reference Desk Sarah Maximiek and Erin Rushton [email_address] [email_address] Binghamton University November 2, 2006
  • 2. Chat with a Librarian 2003- 2004
  • 3. Ask a Librarian July 2004 - July 2005 Docutek software Patron required to fill out form before submitting question Librarians required to sign into Docutek at beginning of reference shift. Low usage Unreliable service
  • 4. Instant Messaging Task Force Creation of Instant Messaging Task Force in March 2005 Service considerations Offer service in both Libraries Use software popular with students Simple, easy to use Fast to implement
  • 5. Problems and Solutions Problems How to support multiple IM services without multiple windows? How to minimize software downloads on staff and public PCs? Solutions Multi-protocol IM client.
  • 6. Software considerations Compatible with different operating systems (Mac, Linux, Windows) Secure No System/IT conflicts Availability of useful features (e.g. transcripts, scripted messages, statistics, etc.).
  • 7. Trillian Supports AIM, ICQ, MSN, Gtalk, and Yahoo Messenger. Supports file transfers, group chats, typing notification and emoticons Saves transcripts automatically as .txt files Basic version available for free Displays connectivity to accounts in the system tray.
  • 9.
  • 10.
  • 11.
  • 12. Launching the Service Discussed concerns at Reference meetings Encouraged librarians to set up and use IM accounts in Trillian. Created IM accounts in AOL, Yahoo and MSN for Science Library and Bartle Library Conducted a training session covering Trillian and IM use Updated reference privacy policy http://library.lib.binghamton.edu/webdocs/policies.html #referenceprivacy
  • 13. Staffing Staffed by Reference Desk staff (grad students, librarians and professionals) Desk hours differ, but we share staffing to ensure equal coverage Use email alerts (Outlook) to remind when to sign on to accounts
  • 14. Ask a Librarian June 2005 - Created IM Pilot Page and Ask a Librarian page Launched IM pilot reference service in June 2005 Discontinued Docutek Chat in July 2005
  • 15.
  • 16. Marketing Featured on Libraries web page, blogs and newsletter Highlighted in Whats New in the Libraries exhibit Discussed at orientation fairs for new students and parents
  • 17. Marketing (2) Featured on library bookmarks Discussed in articles and advertising about the Libraries in the student newspaper
  • 18. Hows it going so far. Some observations Over 400 questions answered since launch of service Most questions from AOL (~90%) Repeat patrons Patrons seem to like the service the im chat option is terrific, pass it along :)
  • 19. Hows it going so far. Some observations (2) Lack of technical support from IM providers IM interface is not robust IM communication challenges: Informal Lack of visual clues Quick Hanging sessions
  • 20. Hows it going so far. Some observations (3) Staffing Can monitor at desk with current staffing levels Reminders are valuable when sharing service coverage Exposure to IM gets staff more comfortable with using it
  • 21. Hows it going so far. Some observations (4) Marketing blitz not necessary. Word gets out. Learn as you go service Need to overcome idea that it is an inferior service Students will IM more then one account with the same question Librarians use IM internally
  • 22. Hows it going so far. Some observations (5) No excessive emoticons or abbreviations Patrons are willing to wait if the staff is busy Session lengths vary Teachable moments Patrons use the IM service to ask a variety of questions
  • 23. Questions from IM Hi, I was wondering if it costs anything to print something in the library. hey- can u tell me if a book is on reserve? Hi. Who is this? (student forgot who the username belonged to)
  • 24. Questions from IM (2) i'm trying to locate spanish language cds and i'm unable to narrow down my search results enough to find them - any suggestions? Hi, I help finding articles for one of my classes. I heard some kids talking about "jstar" or something like that. Do you know where I can find this?
  • 25. Questions from IM (3) Hello. I need help finding two articles on food or agriculture for my environmental studies class. I would like to know more about nys laws concerning monetary transactions. I received a receipt with the wrong date. Basically, I would like to know if that mistake would make the receipt invalid. I am looking for sites related to Aids. I would appreciate if you could suggest me databases I should go through
  • 26. Future Directions Commit to IM reference Explore other depts using IM for patron help Investigate co-browsing software (JYBE) RAQIM Meebo Conduct in-depth analysis of questions
  • 27. Assessment Goals Statistical data e.g. traffic, audience, length of session Types of questions asked Resources used to answer questions Correctness and completeness of answers
  • 28. Assessment Outcomes Evaluate quality of service (e.g. RUSA Behaviour Guidelines) Evaluate website design and navigation Evaluate staffing levels Determine need for FAQs or other help Determine need for electronic reference sources
  • 29. Transcript Analysis Created form in Access Database Created Access queries Printed and numbered transcripts (July 2005 July 2006) Created coding guide Tested 30 transcripts Solicited reference volunteers
  • 30. Discoveries Challenging endeavor Quality is sometimes subjective Necessary to double analyze many transcripts Ongoing process form and coding sheet can be revised forever; different judgments on correctness and completeness of questions