NCknows August 2013 Monthly Report
Chats:
This Month: 2348 (coop coverage) + 628 (libraries monitoring their own queues) = 2976
Last Month: 1505 (coop coverage) + 276 (libraries monitoring their own queues) = 1781
This Month last year: 1546 (coop coverage) + 446 (libraries monitoring their own queues) = 1992
Check your own traffic here: http://ncknows.philblank.net/gwentest/LibStats.php
Comments:
We are right in the middle of several projects, of which I’ll have more to say next month.
This month I’d like to focus on scheduling. I am contacting all people currently on the schedule to confirm that the shifts are accurate and to see how folks are doing with the current commitments. The reason I am asking is because of this:
Yellow=2011 (switched to LH3 in Aug), Orange=2012, Red=2103
As you can see, we are headed into the busiest times of the year. Our staffing models have been in place since the beginning of NCknows but the traffic we may experience is likely to stretch that model to its’ limits. As you all know, it can be feast or famine when waiting for questions, but it would be nice to have more support if possible. Consider this a general call to libraries who haven’t traditionally staffed the cooperative to consider getting involved by contributing as little as 1-2 hours per week. Daytime hours help, as do evening and even, weekends if you have the ability. Our patrons have definitely found us and have made the service popular- now we need to ensure that we can maintain the level of quality with this higher amount of traffic. The more the merrier, and training is easy and online, so if you are interested, please contact me by email or phone, 919 942-8995.
Here’s what we need:
Most needed:
Monday:
7-8pm
Tuesday:
7-8pm
Wednesday:
6-8pm
Thursday:
5-6pm
Friday:
10-11am
1-2pm
4-5pm
Needed to fulfill double staffing:
Tues
8-9am
10-12pm
4-5pm
Wed
11-12pm
3-4pm
6-8pm
Thurs
5-6pm
7-8pm
the schedule is updated and available here: http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=philblank.net_pnrkjmd0orspuo8s7ls28dhskk%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York
Ebsco/Proquest Widget Embeds!
As I mentioned last month, we now have the ability to embed chat widgets in NC LIVE’s Proquest and Ebsco databases. This will really benefit many users who need help with search terms, citation or other more advanced Ebsco functions. But in order to place it in there, we need to hear from you that you want it for your library. It’s easy and we do all the work, just let us know.
Transcript of the Month
Sarah Wagner from Chapel Hill Public Library wins this month’s transcript with this delightful, quick chat. I especially like that she was able to point out NC LIVE’s excellent Points of View database, which works so well for these sorts of assignments. Thanks Sarah!
13:14PATRON hi, I am looking for a database for my argument essay that is " Americans become overly depend on technology". can you help me to find some good database for my essay? thank u so much
13:14 chpl-sj@libraryh3lp.com hi there!
13:15 chpl-sj@libraryh3lp.com no problem...are you in high school or college?
13:15PATRON im in high school
13:15PATRON sorry
13:15PATRON college
13:15 chpl-sj@libraryh3lp.com okay, cool...
13:16 chpl-sj@libraryh3lp.com There's a great database called Points of view that gives lots of good essays and articles on different topics
13:16 chpl-sj@libraryh3lp.com it's great for argument essays because it gives you both sides of the argument
13:16 chpl-sj@libraryh3lp.com Here's a link that will take you nc live
13:16 chpl-sj@libraryh3lp.com http://nclive.org/browse/current-issues
13:16PATRON can u show me the link for that
13:16PATRON thanks u so much
13:17 chpl-sj@libraryh3lp.com no problem it's towards the bottom of the page, just click on Points of view
13:18 chpl-sj@libraryh3lp.com do you need help logging on?
13:18PATRON it is fine
13:18 chpl-sj@libraryh3lp.com great!
13:18PATRON i had account
13:19 chpl-sj@libraryh3lp.com awesome!
13:20PATRON thank u for your help. I found some amazing
13:20 chpl-sj@libraryh3lp.com great, call us back if you need more help!