Submitted by admin-boss on
The renewed focus on the descriptive codes has generated some questions about use of the resolution codes, so here's a refresher...
There are five resolution codes available as you end your AskAway sessions, but please use only these three: Answered, Lost Call, and Practise.
Submitted by admin-boss on
Many of you make vigilant use of the resolution and descriptive codes as you end your AskAway sessions. Up until now use of the descriptive codes has been fairly random, as we didn't have control over the list of available codes. QuestionPoint has recently provided the ability to customise codes, so we've identified and defined a new, MUCH SHORTER list of AskAway descriptive codes to make your job easier. Read on to learn more....
What are the new descriptive codes?
Submitted by admin-boss on
Library schools can obtain a free QuestionPoint account, which will allow faculty members and students to use the QuestionPoint virtual reference software.
For more information, see the QuestionPoint Blog.
Submitted by admin-boss on
"by transforming virtual reference (VR) service encounters into relationship-building opportunities, librarians can better leverage the positive feelings people have for libraries"
- OCLC news release
Submitted by admin-boss on
The minutes from the October 3 Advisory Committee meeting are now available here.
Also available is the Coordinator's Report.
Submitted by admin-boss on
AskAway receives many comments from users who fill out the exit survey, the vast majority overwhelmingly positive about the service. From time to time, though, we do receive some constructive feedback on how to further improve AskAway. Often even this type of feedback follows high praise for AskAway, for example, “The online service has worked perfectly for me, I've used it a few times and have always encountered friendly helpful people on the other end. What a great idea! The only thing I would suggest is to perhaps spread the word more.”
Submitted by admin-boss on
A big thank you to the AskAwayers who have recently sent assignment alerts and announcements to the listserv! Receiving a head's up about significant changes or assignments in other institutions gives AskAwayers a chance to familiarize themselves with relevant materials before being asked a question, making it a smoother experience for the librarian and better service AskAway users.
Submitted by admin-boss on
What kinds of questions do we answer?
We are open to all questions, and will provide help with course-related research tasks e.g. finding books, journals, articles, etc..
--Service Guidelines for Service Providers
Submitted by admin-boss on
Increasingly, when Safari users click on a PDF full text icon in a licensed database, they get a “missing plug-in error”. This is due to an incompatibility between the Safari 5.1 browser and the Adobe PDF viewer plug-in. EBSCO support has posted a FAQ on the problem, and they suggest that users install a plug-in as a workaround until the software issue is solved.
Submitted by admin-boss on
Thanks everyone in advance for your support of our biology undergraduates.
We are starting to see BIOL 140 and BIOL 200 students at our Woodward Reference Desk in and we anticipate they will be visiting AskAway soon too!