While reading the articles about IM use I was impressed by the number of teens who said they used it for homework help, 55%! This alone makes me think that IM reference is a perfect addition to library resources. From here I asked a coworker about their experience working with IM reference and learned the following…
1) It isn’t used very often by patrons
2) Most of the questions they get are legit
3) People log off before they are able to give the survey
I think that the early log off is part of the nature of this form of communication. Maybe we can put a link to the survey on the page and forget trying to get them to fill it out during the IM session. Also, going back to what I posted yesterday, I think that marketing this tool in the schools would really add to the use ratio.
I decided to ask a real question while exploring VB IM reference. Since I am new to the area and the holidays are quickly approaching I have been asking everyone where they suggest buying Christmas trees. I prefer to cut down my own but VA does not seem to have as many options as PA. My conversation went as follows…
meeboguest778666: Hi, where can I cut down my own Christmas tree in the Virginia Beach area?
Ask VBPL: Hi, Nicole here
Ask VBPL: let me take a look
Ask VBPL: can you wait a minute?
meeboguest778666: Thanks
meeboguest778666: sure
Ask VBPL: ok- hang on
Ask VBPL: this link has some for VB towards the bottom
Ask VBPL: http://www.pickyourownchristmastree.org/VAxmassoutheast.php
Ask VBPL: Hunt Club Farm
Ask VBPL: Henley Farm
meeboguest778666: thanks
Ask VBPL: the local paper should have a listing too
Ask VBPL: do you want me to look further?
meeboguest778666: nope. thats great
I found that she found me an answer very quickly, and I thought it was good that they follow the answer with an offer to research further. The one thing I didn’t like about the Meebo window on our webpage is that you can’t see when you have a response when the screen in minimized. With a regular chat window the bar will flash when you have a response, allowing for multitasking. I feel that multitasking is one of the best parts of IM communication. I had the screen minimized to type this blog and did not quickly see that I had received an answer.
Other than that I was VERY impressed with my experience. At the end of my conversation I told Nicole who I was and she even emailed me more information to answer my question. I would defiantly use the IM reference at VB again based on this experience. I feel that libraries need to embrace this technology. Based on the statistics, through proper marketing, we should find that this form of reference will gain popularity in VB and in libraries around the county.
1) It isn’t used very often by patrons
2) Most of the questions they get are legit
3) People log off before they are able to give the survey
I think that the early log off is part of the nature of this form of communication. Maybe we can put a link to the survey on the page and forget trying to get them to fill it out during the IM session. Also, going back to what I posted yesterday, I think that marketing this tool in the schools would really add to the use ratio.
I decided to ask a real question while exploring VB IM reference. Since I am new to the area and the holidays are quickly approaching I have been asking everyone where they suggest buying Christmas trees. I prefer to cut down my own but VA does not seem to have as many options as PA. My conversation went as follows…
meeboguest778666: Hi, where can I cut down my own Christmas tree in the Virginia Beach area?
Ask VBPL: Hi, Nicole here
Ask VBPL: let me take a look
Ask VBPL: can you wait a minute?
meeboguest778666: Thanks
meeboguest778666: sure
Ask VBPL: ok- hang on
Ask VBPL: this link has some for VB towards the bottom
Ask VBPL: http://www.pickyourownchristmastree.org/VAxmassoutheast.php
Ask VBPL: Hunt Club Farm
Ask VBPL: Henley Farm
meeboguest778666: thanks
Ask VBPL: the local paper should have a listing too
Ask VBPL: do you want me to look further?
meeboguest778666: nope. thats great
I found that she found me an answer very quickly, and I thought it was good that they follow the answer with an offer to research further. The one thing I didn’t like about the Meebo window on our webpage is that you can’t see when you have a response when the screen in minimized. With a regular chat window the bar will flash when you have a response, allowing for multitasking. I feel that multitasking is one of the best parts of IM communication. I had the screen minimized to type this blog and did not quickly see that I had received an answer.
Other than that I was VERY impressed with my experience. At the end of my conversation I told Nicole who I was and she even emailed me more information to answer my question. I would defiantly use the IM reference at VB again based on this experience. I feel that libraries need to embrace this technology. Based on the statistics, through proper marketing, we should find that this form of reference will gain popularity in VB and in libraries around the county.
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