Volume 2, No. 1

Coordinator's Corner: Sixty-One Days Until We Go Live!

As the day of the new KnowItNow24x7 software's going live approaches, I would like to keep everyone updated on training opportunities. The self-guided PowerPoint demonstration and the Reference & Training Manual are still available for download. Additionally, July and August will see multiple opportunities for real-time online demos as well as hands-on "train-the-trainer" sessions.

Download instructions for the actual software will be available soon for everyone to get a chance to get behind the wheel and take it for a spin before we all head out onto the track together.

Starting July 15, I will be offering online demonstrations via Training U Online from Cleveland Public Library. Both afternoon and morning sessions are being offered. To register, go to cpl.webex.com and search for knowitnow in the Search box under Browse Meetings. Click on Register next to your desired time and provide your name, email, and library (under Company). You will receive confirmation and instructions by email to connect to your meeting. Attendees will need a computer (to login to the meeting) and a phone (to connect to the toll free number for audio).

The attendee limit for each session is fifteen which means fifteen computers can be logged into each meeting. Libraries are encouraged to have multiple people view the demo from the same computer. Beyond multiple staff members from the same library "tag teaming" at a computer, institutions which have video projection and speaker phone capabilities are encouraged to invite staff members from other KnowItNow Provider libraries to come and view in their library. "But how do I know who is in my area?" The Google Map of KnowItNow24x7 providers gives you a quick way to see who is in your neighborhood. If libraries offer their facilities for group viewing, please let me know and we can post these on the Provider page and notify people via the KIN mailing list. These online sessions will be demonstration only (no hands on). Recorded sessions will also be made available for those who cannot attend a live, online demo. Please don't hesitate to contact support@knowitnow.org if you have any questions about these online demos.

There will also be live, hands-on training sessions in August. These will be "train-the-trainer" opportunities; each provider library is invited to send one or two staff members. These people will serve as the primary KnowItNow24x7 experts in their institutions. Training sessions will take place in several venues around the state to make attending one as feasible as possible for KnowItNow24x7 agents. A schedule and registration procedures will be available soon.

This is an exciting time for KnowItNow, and the software has a number of very useful new features. Take advantage of all of these opportunities (self-guided PowerPoint (download and hit F5 on your keyboard), live online demos, and live "train-the-trainer" sessions) to acquaint yourself and your staff members with the new software. And in 61 days we'll all be saying, "LIVE from Ohio ... It's KnowItNow24x7!"

Don Boozer
KnowItNow Coordinator

June 2007 through June 2008 Statistics

This month, we take a retrospective look at statistics with the totals for KnowItNow and HomeworkNow for June 2007 through June 2008. (Click on image for larger view):

The year's statistics take on the characteristic Bactrian camel silhouette with low activity at the ends (summers), peaks during school semesters, and a lull during the winter holiday break. Both aspects of the service answered over 50,000 questions during at least one point in the course of the year. ALL KnowItNow24x7 agents can be proud of their contributions during this past year. Thank you.

RESOURCE OF THE MONTH: Google & Wikipedia

Google? Admit it. You use Google. We all do. There's nothing to be ashamed of. Google is a valuable tool when used with knowledge of its limitations as well as of its strengths. For good or for ill, Wikipedia also has a place (a prominent place, some would say) in today's information environment. Your KnowItNow24x7 Coordinator will be presenting two programs in the next couple months on how to use Google and Wikipedia effectively to find authoritative information for online (and in-person) patrons.

First, on July 10 at OLC's Reference & Adult Services Conference, Steve Herminghausen (Coordinator of OLC's Reference & Information Services Division) and I will be co-presenting Google & Wikipedia: Taming the 800-Pound Gorillas. On August 13, I will be solo presenting at NEO-RLS's Summer Library Symposium held at Kent State University. I encourage anyone interested in "taming the 800-pound gorillas" to take advantage of these continuing education opportunities. Hope to see you there.

To suggest a Resource of the Month, please email comments@knowitnow.org.

Don't Forget Your KINwear!

Our store at CafePress is always open. You can buy golf shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, "thinking caps," and even teddy bears with the KnowItNow24x7 logo on them. KnowItNow was the first virtual reference service available 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week anywhere and YOU are a part of that! At your next conference, workshop, or meeting, don your KIN24x7-wear with pride and say, "Why, yes, I am a KnowItNow24x7 agent." (They're great for gifts as well!)

KnowItNow Staff

Don Boozer, KnowItNow Coordinator
Brian Leszcz, KnowItNow Website Coordinator
Noah Himes, KnowItNow AfterDark Coordinator
...and KnowItNow providers across Ohio!

The KnowItNow24x7 Newsletter highlights resources and statistics for providers and fans of Ohio's 24x7 virtual reference service. Email your comments, questions, advice, helpful resources, and other contributions to comments@knowitnow.org.

If you or your friends would like to sign-up for KnowItNow updates, just go to updates.knowitnow.org and click on Sign up for the latest KnowItNow news.