Hello,

I think our transition to Spark for live chat reference has gone pretty well. What do you think?

Here is some news - talk to you soon, Caleb

1. Find your questions
2. Are those questions from Ohio?
3. 2009 Oregon Virtual Reference Summit
4. Schedule for November
5. What patrons say so far

1. ** Find your questions **

If you've been answering questions in live chat and wondering what happens to them, visit www.oregonlibraries.net/ask/librarians to find out. Click on your 'nickname' to see the questions you ahve answered. Ok, so this only started working on Wednesday or Thursday, but sometime next week it will work for all of our questions since Monday, September 29.

Incidentally, you'll find links to 'open' questions that have come in by e-mail or followup that need answers.

Thanks for your help!

2. ** Are those questions from Ohio? **

If you're seeing questions from Ohio in our e-mail and follow-up system, you are not going crazy. Because we sometimes share questions, the shared chat server also has us share one 'leave a message' form.

Though Ohio patrons are instructed that the form gets sent to Oregon libraries, that hasn't stopped a few patrons per day from filling it out.

If you see a question from Ohio's KnowItNow service, do your best to answer it or refer the patron to their local library.

Some examples of how I handled some are:

http://www.oregonlibraries.net/ask/118664
http://www.oregonlibraries.net/ask/118917

3. ** 2009 Oregon Virtual Reference Summit **

It's time to start planning the 2009 Oregon Virtual Reference Summit, tentatively scheduled for May, 2009. If you enjoyed last year's summit, or the year before's, or the year before that's, or if you've never been but would love the chance to help plan a one-day conference, e-mail or call Caleb or Emily.

The commitment is going to be for a one-to-two hour monthly meeting, and maybe every other week as we near the event. Last year we planned really well and didn't have much to do at the end. Depending on what kind of role you take on, you may be making phone calls to event venues, caterers, videographers, speakers, etc.

The first meeting may be in person, and you will be reimbursed for travel. Other meetings can be by telephone.

4. ** Schedule for November **

I updated the live chat schedule for November, 2008.

There are two holidays that we will be closed: Thanksgiving (November 27) and Veteran's day (November 11).

If your library is open and you are available to cover L-net November 11 or 27, we'd love to have you, we just aren't planning on having anyone.

L-net will be OPEN the day after Thanskgiving (November 28). If your library is scheduled for a shift that day and can't make it, please contact Caleb or Emily immediately.

5. ** What our patrons have said this week **

Chat patrons get a survey at the end of their session. In the comments, they say:

"L-NET IS AWSOME! Ruby is the nicest librarian EVER!"

"This service is so cool, I'd just like to thank who ever made this up and all the librarians who chat with us kids."

"what a great idea. It is 4 in the morning and I can get help with a question!"

"I love the new system it's a lot better!!"

"and just as a side note....l net was cooler when the website popped up next to the chat area...just to put that out there."

"jeanne was very rude to me!!!!!!!!!"

Well you can't please everybody.