Offering NCknows

Intro | Adding the logo | Checking your transcripts | Listserv

Introduction

This page is for libraries that offer NCknows without providing direct participation in the provision of reference service or libraries linking to NCknows. Most likely, this page was sent to you after you submitted your profile as a request to be added to NCknows. This page is designed to give you everything you need to know to begin offering NCknows.

Adding the logo

1. Choose your page(s). You might consider putting the logo where people will need it (the home page, catalog, database list pages, "item not found" pages for example).

2. Write Text: You will need to add some short explanatory text about NCknows to inform your patrons about this service. You are free to add whatever text you feel is appropriate. You may want to include the following points:

NCknows is a pilot project.

NCknows is available all day, every day.

NCknows is staffed by librarians.

3. Add the Button: To add the button, choose "download" and save the image. Do not cut and paste the image as it may degrade the quality. Do not resize the button. You have four options if you choose to use the button. :

a. Large Sign (see below)

b. Small Sign (see below)

c. Large Button (see below)

c1. No shadow: This is the smallest graphic file available. This should be used for pages that are in danger of loading slowly due to size. c2. Shadow: This file is slightly larger.

d. Small Button (see below)

Rollover Effect:

If you choose the buttons, you also have the option of adding or not adding a "rollover effect". I have included all the graphics you need to do this but not the code. If you don't want to do this, or can't do this, feel free to link the buttons without effects. Please do not use the rollover images (ncbutton2over and ncbutton3over) as the standard button.

4. Link it. The State Library will distribute a URL that you will link to the button. This URL is specific to your library and will allow the librarians helping your patrons to access your profile and identify where the patron is from. This link can only be distributed if you have completed the profile. This URL will be sent directly to your NCknows contact person.

After you link the page, clicking on it should go directly to the question entry form. If it goes to a 247 technical difficulty page, then the link is incorrect. Please contact the NCknows administrator for help.

5. Email me with a list of the links. I will double check the accuracy of the URL. 

NCknows Web Images

Large sign:

DOWNLOAD logobutton.gif

Small Sign

DOWNLOAD smbuttonlogo.gif

Rollover images (examples):

N C knows- Ask Us Now N C knows- Ask Us Now working buttons (rollover)

Large Button, no shadow:

N C knows- Ask Us Now
DOWNLOAD ncbutton.gif (Note: this is the smallest graphic file)

Large Button

N C knows- Ask Us Now

DOWNLOAD NCbutton2.jpg (with Shadow)

Large Button Rollover


DOWNLOAD ncbutton2over.jpg

Small Button


DOWNLOAD ncbutton3.gif

Small Button Rollover


DOWNLOAD ncbutton3over.gif

Checking Your Transcripts

Every library that offers NCknows has the opportunity to review transcripts to their patrons. We define "your" patrons as people who link to NCknows through your website. In addition to your individual evaluation of transcripts, the service is monitored daily for quality control and regularly as part of a larger evaluation process.

It is important that transcripts are not shared with anyone at the local library without stripping ALL information that could indentify the librarian or the patron. Transcripts are to be reviewed for evaluation purposes only.

How to Check Your Transcripts:

1. Login at http:questionpoint.org (choose "librarian login")

2. Enter the username and password given to you in your welcome to NCknows email.

3. Choose "admin" from left panel

4. Choose "reports" from horizontal menu on top

5. Choose "institution report

6. Select whatever report format you are interested in.

7. If you see transcripts that are not satisfactory and have not been sent to you earlier, please send them to phil@philblank.net. Do not send it to the librarian responsible for the chat. If the patron is unreachable (for example, an anonyomous user who didn't submit their email address in the chat), then I will not have forwarded poor quality transactions.

Listservs

Please have your library contact join the NCknows listserv. This listserv is used for managing day to day operations and also announcing news items relevant to NCknows. This listserv will likely offer many posts that you can safely ignore. However, in this virtual environment, this will give you a chance to interact and "see" the participants offering help to your patrons.

Please join and manage the NCknows-admins listserv here.

Here are some other listservs of interest:

Dig_Ref- Hosted by VRD (Virtual Reference Desk), this list covers all manners of digital reference, including email.

Livereference- This is a yahoo group devoted to covering issues related to virtual reference.

Libref-L - "a moderated discussion of issues related to reference librarianship."