Congratulations this month go to Librarian46 of the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County and MaryC of Shawnee State University.

Librarian46 recommended excellent sources and kept the conversation going while s/he did additional searching and allowed the patron to examine the sites already sent. This patron hit the jackpot with a librarian who brought subject expertise and personal enthusiasm to the transaction.

MaryC did a great job in this conversation, recommending two scholarly sources, one general and one subject specific, “walking” the student through the process of finding these sources on his/her library’s web site, and sticking with the student through the search process, noting a spelling variation and pointing out relevant hits among the search results.

The QuACK Committee does not attempt to do a comprehensive review of all transcripts. We have chosen examples of excellent work in order to show appreciation for participating librarians and to learn from them.

The Committee welcomes your comments about the transcripts or the blog and is interested in hearing from you if you find the featured transcripts useful in your reference work, whether virtual or face-to-face. Send an email to the QuACK Chairperson, Cheryl Lubow, at CLUBOW@sloma.state.oh.us, or post to the blog.

Sincerely,
QuACK (Quality Assurance Committee for KnowItNow24x7)

Librarian46's Transcript
Agent: Librarian46
Question: i'm looking for a map of london, uk that shows old rivers (fleet, tyburn, etc.) & canals. are there any sites/search engines other than google that you can suggest?
Subject: History Geography and Travel
14:56:25 Guest i'm looking for a map of london, uk that shows old rivers (fleet, tyburn, etc.) & canals. are there any sites/search engines other than google that you can suggest?
14:56:44 librarian46 Hello. You've connected to your 24x7 online reference service staffed by librarians across the state. Please wait one moment while I take a look at your question.
14:57:05 Guest thank you.
14:57:06 librarian46 I'll start looking for information for you.
14:58:19 librarian46 http://www.britishmuseum.org/research.aspx
14:58:49 Guest great. i'll give the british museum a try
14:59:08 librarian46 I haven't searched this site for an answer to your question....however, I do know it as an authoritative and comprehensive site. Will look for others while you search.
14:59:57 Guest the british museum sounds like a promising start
15:00:26 librarian46 Still searching...thanks for your patience.
15:01:23 librarian46 http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/map_sites/hist_sites.html#europe
15:02:13 librarian46 This is a link to old maps from the University of Texas. Scroll down to London. I haven't opened any links.
15:04:39 Guest i see there is a link to the london waterworks in the u texas site, which could
15:04:51 Guest help locate what i want to see
15:05:02 librarian46 http://www.british-history.ac.uk/mapsheet.aspx?compid=55124&sheetid=4204&ox=0&oy=0&zm=1&czm=10&x=301&y=79
15:06:16 librarian46 This could be a useful website. Although London wasn't on the list of map images, I clicked on Kent and found that I could zero in on a portion of London. You might want to take a look.
15:06:47 Guest am searching the british museum website as well. and i see you've sent another link from their university system. will try that as well. you've also given me an idea. if the sites don't pan out, i can ask geography depts at university of london, etc.
15:08:05 librarian46 If you go back on click on the website that I just sent, you'll see that you can move the area of the map. You might want to look at the list of maps....note the tab, Maps at the top of the screen.
15:09:45 librarian46 I have a map link from Oxford University's Bodleian Library. Let me know when I can send it.
15:10:35 librarian46 The library provides links to maps.....all areas and many time periods.
15:10:36 Guest excellent. i also just found something on one of the utexas links. i think b/t utexas and the link you just sent, i should be able to find what i want. am reading novel that revolves around london's lost rivers/canals. it's made me very curious. e-mail address is <email address withheld>. thanks for all of your help!
15:11:01 librarian46 http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/users/nnj/mlinks.htm
15:11:25 librarian46 Good luck with your search.
15:11:51 Guest take care!
15:13:59 librarian46 Just end the session, xxx, when you are finished. I have a fondness for old maps, so it was delightful connecting you with information.

Mary C's Transcript
Agent: maryc
Question: What materials are available referencing the construction of the Rheims Cathedral? This would include the beginning date, ending date person initiating the construction and so forth
Subject: OhioLINK

17:56:17 Guest What materials are available referencing the construction of the Rheims Cathedral? This would include the beginning date, ending date person initiating the construction and so forth
17:56:18 maryc hi
17:56:28 Guest Hello
17:56:34 maryc i am working with another student and will be with you as soon as possible
17:56:37 maryc minute
17:56:43 Guest Thank you Mary
18:02:06 maryc let me look at your library's website
18:02:08 maryc minute
18:02:23 Guest Ok
18:04:11 maryc let's look in Oxford Art Online
18:04:13 maryc minute
18:04:20 Guest Ok
18:05:56 maryc minute
18:07:44 maryc Oxford Art Online has MANY references -- but you need to spell Rheims as REIMS
18:08:05 maryc do you know how to get to Oxford Art Online on the library website?
18:08:14 Guest Ok, so is that a website like www.oxfordart.com or something?
18:08:29 Guest No I do not, can you assist with that?
18:08:55 maryc well, you need to go to the CSCC library page first
18:09:05 maryc do you know how to get to library page?
18:09:05 Guest Alright
18:09:21 Guest I think it's on my main page
18:09:21 maryc it is at http://www.cscc.edu/library/
18:09:25 Guest Ok
18:10:05 Guest Once I get there should I just type in a search for Reims Cathedral?
18:10:57 maryc do you know how to find a research database from that page?
18:11:15 maryc in the middle of the page
18:11:39 maryc do you see the link RESEARCH DATABASE?
18:11:57 Guest I am not on there now, but I will follow your instructions.
18:12:49 maryc Oxford Reference Online also has articles
18:12:58 maryc we might actually start there
18:13:02 Guest Once I click on the link "Research Database" I should then put in Reims Cathedral?
18:13:04 maryc and you can see if it is enough
18:13:10 maryc not yet
18:13:14 maryc minute
18:13:57 maryc see the tabs at the top of the graphic?
18:14:02 maryc two sets of tabs
18:14:05 Guest Yes
18:14:24 maryc see the tab -- second row -- called QUICK REFERENCE ?
18:14:33 Guest OK, yes
18:14:45 maryc so click QUICK REFERENCE
18:15:15 maryc and then scroll down the page -- inside the graphic -- until you find OXFORD REFERENCE ONLINE
18:15:45 Guest OK
18:15:46 maryc it is in BIG type
18:15:52 Guest Right
18:15:58 maryc and click OXFORD REFERENCE ONLINE
18:16:07 Guest OK
18:16:30 maryc See the quick search box in the upper left corner
18:16:42 maryc type in REIMS Cathedral
18:16:57 Guest OK
18:17:28 maryc so you will get 8 results -- you may need to scroll down to see this list
18:17:50 maryc and click on REIMS in the first result: 1. Reims Acc. to tradition, the episcopal see in the old capital of the Remi in Gaul was founded in the second half of the 3rd cent. by St Sixtus , who was succeeded by St Sinicius . The first bishop for whom there is historical evidence was Imbetausius (or ... (From The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church in Religion & Philosophy)
18:18:18 Guest Wonderful, this is going to be extremely helpful. I have to get to class now. Thank you so much for your help Mary.
18:19:15 maryc Remember also that the other articles in Oxford Reference Online also have information -- and that OXFORD ART ONLINE has lots
18:19:42 Guest Thank you, I will remember that........have a great evening!
18:20:09 maryc you too!