There are three new tags that you can now apply to your AskAway chat sessions in LibraryH3lp: Copyright, Course Reserves, and Open Education. These tags were recommended by AskAway participants and will help the service and libraries better understand student needs in these areas. The Interlibrary Loan tag has also been updated to include (ILL) so that it is faster to bring up in the drop-down list by typing ILL.
AskAway has guidelines in place to help you respond to patrons who are abusing the service with prank calls, inappropriate language, or rude behaviour. They're designed to provide you with the tools you need to communicate clearly with the patron, give them an opportunity to change their behaviour, and if needed, to end the session.
In addition to these guidelines, here are some general tips to respond to inappropriate and prank chats based on feedback and input from service providers.
Update to Descriptive and Resolution codes.
Critical procedures to follow when you are working a closing shift.
Here are a couple of tips related to logging out of QuestionPoint in different situations.
Situation #1: it's the end of your shift, but you would like to finish up one of your questions. You don't want to pick up any new sessions, or appear to be available for new sessions. Is there a way to log out of the queues without disconnecting with the patron you are helping?
Yes! It's quick and easy to de-select the queues while staying connected to your patron.
The Admin Centre does not routinely evaluate AskAway transcripts, but from time to time a local coordinator or service provider will bring to our attention a transcript that concerns them.
Lately a couple of issues have come up:
Find a technical problem? Have a question about AskAway procedures? Comments, questions, or suggestions you would like to share? This blog entry gives examples of who to contact with different information or questions. Most importantly, though, please do contact us! If you're not sure who to contact, no worries - your institution's AskAway coordinator or the Admin Centre are two points of contact that can help direct you with who to contact if you are unsure.
General Tips
Log Out Correctly
Log out of QuestionPoint by clicking the "Exit" link in the top right corner. Please don't just close the window: it will appear you are still staffing AskAway. but not picking up calls!
If Possible, Wait for New Service Providers
Attention: folks who work the last shift of the day.
This is a reminder in response to questions about logging out of your shift at closing time (9:00pm every day except Fridays and Saturdays, 5:00pm).
If you are working the last shift of the day, please close your session as normal; there aren't any special procedures to follow. When there are no AskAwayers logged on, users will automatically see a notice on the Qwidget or question form page that lets them know the service is closed.
