Volume 2, No. 7
Coordinator's Corner: Something New for the New Year
Welcome to 2009! This year has a number of initiatives and events planned for it. I would like to take this opportunity to outline one in particular that will be new for existing as well as potential KIN24x7 providers.
In an effort to provide more formal structure to our statewide online reference service, I will be asking each KIN24x7 provider library to fill out a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) over the next couple months. To alleviate any concerns, let me clearly state that this is not, repeat not, intended as a kind of binding contract. I will be happy to work with libraries if changes need to be made to MoUs or if unforeseen circumstances arise. The MoUs are simply a way for local libraries to confirm their existing participation and for KIN24x7 to have verification of each library's current commitment and contact information. Additionally, this will also provide each library with a document that puts an "official stamp" on their commitment to KIN24x7 which can be shared with local Boards, demonstrating a dedication to collaboration and innovation. Furthermore, as new providers come online with us, each will now be able to see what the basic principles of KIN24x7 collaboration entail as well as to have a formal mechanism for joining our club.
Next week, the blank MoU will be posted on the Documentation page of the Provider site along with instructions for filling it out and returning a copy to me. I will also be sending out a reminder (with instructions) at the same time.
This "formalization" process for KIN24x7 providers has been discussed for some time and has even been suggested independently by directors. Everyone's cooperation in this will be greatly appreciated. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at support@knowitnow.org or 216.623.2960.
Don Boozer
KnowItNow24x7 Coordinator
KIN24x7 Instant Messaging (IM) Project
In the next week or so, you will begin to see new icons on your Spark clients. These may look similar to some insignias you are aware of, like AOL's, and will be login icons for various commercial IM services. Librarians should not login to these with their personal IM accounts. "So, what are they doing on my Spark client?" you may ask. Good question. These are the mechanism by which patrons will be able to access KIN24x7 librarians at their local library! Since Fastpath (the Spark component that routes patrons from www.knowitnow.org and our other portals) is independent from the IM feature in Spark, libraries will be able to sign-up for AOL (and other) IM accounts and monitor these through Spark, even when they are outside their regular KIN24x7 schedule. Libraries doing this will be able to have a contact method for their own patrons and will also be listed as a KIN24x7 IM library.
An even more important benefit of incorporating IM into KIN24x7 is that it will allow visually-impaired Ohioans to access our live service like never before. This has been a concern for some time, and there is now a way to address it.
We are still looking for libraries to be involved with the IM Pilot Project. To find out more, click here or email support@knowitnow.org.
KIN24x7 Forum Scheduled for Jan. 21
Date: January 21, 2009
Time: 10 am - noon
Location: Cleveland Public Library, 325 Superior Avenue East, Main Library, Louis Stokes Wing, 2nd floor, Room 218
All KnowItNow24x7 agents (academic, AfterDark, public, and special) are invited to attend a KIN24x7 Forum on January 21, 2009. This meeting will give KIN24x7 librarians a chance to get the latest information on where we've been, how we're doing, and where we're going. All principle administrators will be in attendance: Statewide Coordinator, Website Coordinator, AfterDark Coordinator, and OhioLINK Liaison.
If you plan on attending, would like to submit a topic for discussion, or need more information, please email support@knowitnow.org. A Google Map (including street view) is available here. The map also includes downtown parking decks. Additionally, here is a map with local restaurants in downtown Cleveland for those staying after the meeting to get lunch on their own.
For those unable to attend this meeting, other get-togethers are being planned throughout the year. Brian and I will also be presenting at several OLC Chapter Conferences this spring including Kent, Columbus, Athens, and Toledo. All these events are posted on the Calendar at the KIN24x7 Provider site. Information from the January meeting will also be posted.
Statistics: 2008 Final Tallies (& Looking Ahead)
Congratulations to each and every KIN24x7 agent! You handled a total of 97,293 sessions last year. As determined by zip code entered, these are the top ten counties where KIN24x7's patrons hailed from in 2008:
- Cuyahoga County: 18.4%
- Franklin County: 13.2%
- Summit County: 7.1%
- Hamilton County: 3.4%
- Montgomery County: 3.3%
- Delaware County: 2.8%
- Lorain County: 2.4%
- Warren County: 2.3%
- Portage County: 2.0%
- Medina County: 2.0%
Two percent may not sound like much, but keep in mind that that is still almost 2,000 sessions!
This year is a good time to look at renewed enthusiasm for Ohio's statewide reference service. Answering libraries can be proud of their contribution to one of the busiest (if not the busiest) statewide virtual reference service in the country! You are also providing your librarians with real-life experience in providing virtual reference services. You are a real part of a network of dedicated, knowledgeable professionals. For all that, I say "Thank You!"
That being said, a couple counties in that top 10 above do not have any KIN24x7 provider libraries. Every county's residents accessed the service in 2008. Currently, only 20% of public libraries are KIN24x7 answerers. In light of these numbers, I would also like to encourage renewed advocacy for our statewide reference service this year. Peer-to-peer advocacy among both administrators and librarians to persuade non-answering libraries to join our club would be welcomed.
You will be hearing more about this in the months to come, but, for now, if you happen to be out at a conference or meeting and talking with a librarian from a non-answering institution, don't be afraid to ask, "So, are you guys thinking about joining KIN24x7 this year?"
(For more statistics, check out the Provider Site at Statistics.)
Who's Who?
A new page has been added to the Provider site that shows all public library accounts, what institution monitors them, and what queues are covered by each account. By cross-referencing this with the daytime and afternoon and evening schedule, this will help answer questions like "Who else is helping on my queue now?".
ONLINE RESOURCES OF THE MONTH: 2009 - The Year of...
This coming year has been designated for a number of official observances. Below are links to resources outlining several of these. Libraries may even want to consider displays and other observations in connection with the "official year of...":
- International Year of Astronomy - A global effort initiated by the International Astronomical Union and UNESCO www.astronomy2009.org
- Year of Science - Sponsored by COPUS, a coalition of universities, scientific societies, science centers and museums, government agencies, advocacy groups, media, schools, educators, businesses, and industry - basically, anyone who cares about science and is concerned about national scientific literacy: www.yearofscience2009.org/home/
- Year of the Gorilla - The UNEP Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), the UNEP/UNESCO Great Ape Survival Partnership (GRASP) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) have joined hands to declare 2009 the Year of the Gorilla (YoG): www.yog2009.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!)
KnowItNow24x7 Staff
Don Boozer, KnowItNow24x7 Coordinator
Brian Leszcz, KnowItNow24x7 Web Services Coordinator
Noah Himes, KnowItNow24x7 AfterDark Coordinator
...and KnowItNow24x7 agents across Ohio!
The KnowItNow24x7 Newsletter highlights news, 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 support@knowitnow.org.
If you or your friends would like to sign-up for KnowItNow24x7 updates, just go to updates.knowitnow.org and click on Sign up for the latest KnowItNow news.