Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Mount Olive College goes live with Libraryh3lp!
Mount Olive College is now offering the Libraryh3lp widget on their library's homepage. Thanks to Heather, Susan and the rest of the great librarians there for making it happen. (note: if you see the link to NCknows, that means that no one is currently online to monitor Libraryh3lp).
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Two new trainings
There will be two trainings in early August.
Monday August 9 10-3 at Vance Granville CC.
Thursday August 12, 9:30- 2:30 at Chapel Hill Public Library.
If you are interested, email me (phil at philblank dot net) as soon as possible and let me know how many from your library are interested.
Monday August 9 10-3 at Vance Granville CC.
Thursday August 12, 9:30- 2:30 at Chapel Hill Public Library.
If you are interested, email me (phil at philblank dot net) as soon as possible and let me know how many from your library are interested.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Browser check
Summer may be a good time to get the attention of your IT folks so they can finally get around to updating your browsers. Questionpoint recommends using Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher but since the new NC LIVE site is ideal with something newer than IE 7, why not just upgrade to the highest versions available now? The following is from NC LIVE's current guidelines for browsers:
Any computer accessing the NC LIVE website (going live in early July) via Internet Explorer 7.0 or older will experience formatting issues. In addition, some of our vendors no longer support IE 6.0 or older for their products. For your convenience, here is a link to the top browsers for download:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/default.aspx
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal.html
http://www.apple.com/safari/
Questionpoint's Chat Setup PDF with info on browsers.
Any computer accessing the NC LIVE website (going live in early July) via Internet Explorer 7.0 or older will experience formatting issues. In addition, some of our vendors no longer support IE 6.0 or older for their products. For your convenience, here is a link to the top browsers for download:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/default.aspx
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal.html
http://www.apple.com/safari/
Questionpoint's Chat Setup PDF with info on browsers.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Librarian is, amazingly, typing!
It happened!
A long awaited development has finally arrived to Questionpoint! Patrons now see an alert that "librarian is typing" when you are typing a message. This means that they will, hopefully, be less likely to leave the session while you are a typing a message. This is something we were hoping to see years ago. Better late than never! Click on the link above to see screenshots of the patron's view.
A long awaited development has finally arrived to Questionpoint! Patrons now see an alert that "librarian is typing" when you are typing a message. This means that they will, hopefully, be less likely to leave the session while you are a typing a message. This is something we were hoping to see years ago. Better late than never! Click on the link above to see screenshots of the patron's view.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Wake County puts 200 years at your fingertips
"Both the county's Register of Deeds office and the Olivia Raney Local History Library are offering new means by which private citizens and professionals can research the county's past and families' personal histories. To make county documents dating back to 1785 easily available, the Register of Deeds office recently scanned and indexed more than 88,000 documents for perusal on the Web."
Read full article from the N&O.
Read full article from the N&O.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
NCLIVE and the Password of the Day
NC LIVE is trying to improve the password of the day policy. After much deliberation we've come to consensus on how it works. Click on the image below to see the new password of the day page:
NC LIVE has changed the policy in these ways:
1. First, ask the patron if they are a NC resident or student. If the patron's email is from a NC school or business, or if for some other reason you are confident they are eligible to use NC LIVE, then you can skip this.
2. After that, the new policy is similar to the old one. Copy and paste the correct text depending on whether or not they are in NC or not.
3. NC LIVE has also asked that we encourage the patron to get their permanent password. This can mean offering to refer the call if they have listed an email address or offering them a phone number to their local library. You can use the links at the bottom of the page to find the phone number of any library. Please use your own discretion as to how to proceed.
As always, the NC LIVE password of the day page can be found by clicking on "Policies" when helping a patron and then looking in the "Databases" section of the policies. Also, when helping academic patrons, please try to direct the patron to using NC LIVE and other resources from their library's pages instead of NC LIVE when possible.
We will see how this new policy works in practice. Please feel free to contact me with your reactions and I'll forward them to NC LIVE.
NC LIVE has changed the policy in these ways:
1. First, ask the patron if they are a NC resident or student. If the patron's email is from a NC school or business, or if for some other reason you are confident they are eligible to use NC LIVE, then you can skip this.
2. After that, the new policy is similar to the old one. Copy and paste the correct text depending on whether or not they are in NC or not.
3. NC LIVE has also asked that we encourage the patron to get their permanent password. This can mean offering to refer the call if they have listed an email address or offering them a phone number to their local library. You can use the links at the bottom of the page to find the phone number of any library. Please use your own discretion as to how to proceed.
As always, the NC LIVE password of the day page can be found by clicking on "Policies" when helping a patron and then looking in the "Databases" section of the policies. Also, when helping academic patrons, please try to direct the patron to using NC LIVE and other resources from their library's pages instead of NC LIVE when possible.
We will see how this new policy works in practice. Please feel free to contact me with your reactions and I'll forward them to NC LIVE.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Value Added Service
This is from Jessica O Brien (Lenoir-Rhyne University), who reviews transcripts on Monday and Tuesdays:
This transcript from Question Point backup librarian stood out as I read the chat transcripts this morning. The patron was a student in need of the NC LIVE login information. The librarian quickly related the information to the student, but did not immediately wrap up the chat. Instead she took the initiative to ask the patron if she needed help selecting a database, then offered to suggest some potential search terms. The student ended the chat on the right track to completing her assignment thanks to the value added service of our backup librarian.
Patron:
20:06:58 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Chat Transcript
Librarian:
20:06:58 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Note: Patron's screen name: anonymous
Patron:
20:07:43 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
HOW DO I LOG ON TO NCLIVE
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:08:49 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
(24/7 Librarian)' has joined the session.
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:08:54 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Hello!
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:09:04 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
My name is. I'm a reference librarian with the Question Point chat service. Your librarians have asked our librarians to staff this 24-hour service when they are unavailable. I'm reading your question now to see how I can help you.
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:09:16 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Which library are you from? I'll try to help you with that.
Patron:
20:09:58 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
CLIFFDALE
Patron:
20:10:38 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
IN FAYETTEVILLE, NC
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:11:12 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Thanks much! It looks like that is part of the Cumberland County library system.
Patron:
20:11:25 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
YES
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:11:33 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Do you have a password already? If not, I can get you a temporary password to use.
Patron:
20:11:48 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
NO
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:12:13 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Okay, please hold just one moment while I get that for you.
Patron:
20:12:15 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
IM TRYING TO DO SOME RESEARCH
Patron:
20:12:24 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
THNK YOU
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:12:33 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Sure!
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:13:27 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Here is information about how the temporary password works. The password is at the bottom.
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:13:33 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
"NC LIVE requires a password when used outside a North Carolina library. The password below is available only as a temporary convenience, and automatically changes at 9:00 AM (EST). This password works for all libraries found on the NC LIVE login page. If you need continued access to NC LIVE, please contact the staff at your local public or college library to get the regular password, which is good through the summer of 2010. Keep in mind your local library will be able to help you get started using NC LIVE, and in many cases may purchase additional online resources available only from their web site. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The password of the day is: q@m94ws@
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:14:11 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
I think you should be able to use the password with the databases from your library's website:
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:14:14 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
http://www.cumberland.lib.nc.us/resources/alphabetical.htm
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:14:21 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Do you want to give that a try?
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:14:35 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
If that doesn't work, I can give you another link to try.
Patron:
20:14:47 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
ND IT WILL LET FIND JOURNALS AND OTHER WORKS
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:15:21 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Right. Do you need some help deciding which database to use? I'll be happy to help you with that if you want to tell me your topic.
Patron:
20:15:53 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
IM TRYING TO FIND INFO ON STUDENTS WEARING SCHOOL UNIFORMS...PROS AND CONS
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:16:24 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Sure, one moment please and I'll look over your database options and recommend one to you.
Patron:
20:16:39 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
OK
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:18:21 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
http://www.cumberland.lib.nc.us/resources/alphabetical.htm
Patron:
20:18:39 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:18:43 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Select "•Academic Search Premier"
Patron:
20:19:07 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
IM THERE NOW
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:19:18 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Okay, great!
Patron:
20:19:29 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
HVE A GOOD WEEK
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:19:34 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
I can give you some search terms to try if you want.
Patron:
20:19:49 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
OK SURE
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:19:53 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
school uniforms and pros and cons
Patron:
20:20:07 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
THANKS A LOT
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:20:07 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
school uniforms and controversy and research
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:20:19 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
school uniforms and expense
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:20:30 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
school uniforms and student behavior
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:20:45 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
school uniforms and opposing views
Patron:
20:20:49 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
OK I DIDNT THINK ABOUT THAT
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:21:10 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
You are very welcome. You may want to limit your searches to "full-text" articles just to make it easier too.
Patron:
20:21:24 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
OK
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:21:33 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
I hope you find some good articles! If you need more help, please let us know!
Patron:
20:21:51 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
I WILL THANKS U VERY MUCH
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:21:54 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
There are other terms and more databases that could be tried!
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:22:11 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Sounds good! Thank you for using this service. Best wishes!
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:22:15 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Librarian ended chat session.
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:22:18 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Note: Set Resolution: Answered
This transcript from Question Point backup librarian stood out as I read the chat transcripts this morning. The patron was a student in need of the NC LIVE login information. The librarian quickly related the information to the student, but did not immediately wrap up the chat. Instead she took the initiative to ask the patron if she needed help selecting a database, then offered to suggest some potential search terms. The student ended the chat on the right track to completing her assignment thanks to the value added service of our backup librarian.
Patron:
20:06:58 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Chat Transcript
Librarian:
20:06:58 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Note: Patron's screen name: anonymous
Patron:
20:07:43 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
HOW DO I LOG ON TO NCLIVE
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:08:49 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
(24/7 Librarian)' has joined the session.
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:08:54 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Hello!
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:09:04 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
My name is. I'm a reference librarian with the Question Point chat service. Your librarians have asked our librarians to staff this 24-hour service when they are unavailable. I'm reading your question now to see how I can help you.
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:09:16 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Which library are you from? I'll try to help you with that.
Patron:
20:09:58 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
CLIFFDALE
Patron:
20:10:38 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
IN FAYETTEVILLE, NC
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:11:12 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Thanks much! It looks like that is part of the Cumberland County library system.
Patron:
20:11:25 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
YES
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:11:33 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Do you have a password already? If not, I can get you a temporary password to use.
Patron:
20:11:48 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
NO
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:12:13 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Okay, please hold just one moment while I get that for you.
Patron:
20:12:15 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
IM TRYING TO DO SOME RESEARCH
Patron:
20:12:24 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
THNK YOU
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:12:33 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Sure!
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:13:27 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Here is information about how the temporary password works. The password is at the bottom.
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:13:33 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
"NC LIVE requires a password when used outside a North Carolina library. The password below is available only as a temporary convenience, and automatically changes at 9:00 AM (EST). This password works for all libraries found on the NC LIVE login page. If you need continued access to NC LIVE, please contact the staff at your local public or college library to get the regular password, which is good through the summer of 2010. Keep in mind your local library will be able to help you get started using NC LIVE, and in many cases may purchase additional online resources available only from their web site. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The password of the day is: q@m94ws@
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:14:11 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
I think you should be able to use the password with the databases from your library's website:
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:14:14 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
http://www.cumberland.lib.nc.us/resources/alphabetical.htm
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:14:21 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Do you want to give that a try?
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:14:35 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
If that doesn't work, I can give you another link to try.
Patron:
20:14:47 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
ND IT WILL LET FIND JOURNALS AND OTHER WORKS
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:15:21 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Right. Do you need some help deciding which database to use? I'll be happy to help you with that if you want to tell me your topic.
Patron:
20:15:53 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
IM TRYING TO FIND INFO ON STUDENTS WEARING SCHOOL UNIFORMS...PROS AND CONS
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:16:24 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Sure, one moment please and I'll look over your database options and recommend one to you.
Patron:
20:16:39 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
OK
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:18:21 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
http://www.cumberland.lib.nc.us/resources/alphabetical.htm
Patron:
20:18:39 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:18:43 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Select "•Academic Search Premier"
Patron:
20:19:07 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
IM THERE NOW
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:19:18 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Okay, great!
Patron:
20:19:29 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
HVE A GOOD WEEK
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:19:34 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
I can give you some search terms to try if you want.
Patron:
20:19:49 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
OK SURE
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:19:53 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
school uniforms and pros and cons
Patron:
20:20:07 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
THANKS A LOT
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:20:07 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
school uniforms and controversy and research
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:20:19 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
school uniforms and expense
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:20:30 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
school uniforms and student behavior
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:20:45 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
school uniforms and opposing views
Patron:
20:20:49 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
OK I DIDNT THINK ABOUT THAT
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:21:10 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
You are very welcome. You may want to limit your searches to "full-text" articles just to make it easier too.
Patron:
20:21:24 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
OK
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:21:33 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
I hope you find some good articles! If you need more help, please let us know!
Patron:
20:21:51 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
I WILL THANKS U VERY MUCH
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:21:54 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
There are other terms and more databases that could be tried!
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:22:11 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Sounds good! Thank you for using this service. Best wishes!
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:22:15 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Librarian ended chat session.
Librarian At QP Backup:
20:22:18 2010/05/02 (GMT-5)
Note: Set Resolution: Answered
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