Sunni Nishimura AskAway Coordinator ETUG Learn Together Series May 2009 Funding support for this initiative is provided by BCcampus

Outline What is AskAway? How does it work? Who is using it? Where are they? Why are they using it? Where can you find AskAway? Let’s try it out! What can AskAway do for you and your learners? ETUG Learn Together Series 2009

What is AskAway? Research help where learners need it, when they need it Real library staff, chatting in real time ETUG Learn Together Series 2009

How does it work? Online access from wherever you are Chat in real time with library staff Transcripts captured and ed after session AskAway staff will: Help you with any research or library related questions Help you find library resources Suggest research strategies Provide instruction on searching databases ETUG Learn Together Series 2009

How does AskAway work? Part of a suite of services your library already offers Post-secondary and public library AskAway services available Post-secondary service staffed by library staff from 27 post- secondary institutions 67 hours of reference service per week, including evenings and weekends ETUG Learn Together Series 2009

Who is using AskAway? ETUG Learn Together Series 2009

Why are they using AskAway? “What a great service for students who are not able to be on campus very often. Having a live chat make the online learning experience that much more fantastic. I am very impressed.” ETUG Learn Together Series 2009

Where are our users? ETUG Learn Together Series 2009

Why are they using AskAway? “I went to library in person asked for help, then went home and did research by myself after hours of no luck I used askaway. This helped greatly and the person I was working with was very fast and knowledgeable.” ETUG Learn Together Series 2009

Why are they using AskAway? Reaching new audiences: Around 8% of them have never used the library before 40% are new to AskAway “I feel confident to talk online than in person....” “Social anxiety, it's easier to talk to someone online” 57% of users say they use AskAway because they are searching online anyways Have used public library AskAway and expect AskAway to be here too! ETUG Learn Together Series 2009

Where do I find Askaway? At present: AskAway.org Your library website Ask Us page Library subject guides Eventually: Learning Management Systems Everywhere students are using library resources…

ETUG Learn Together Series 2009

Access AskAway via your library website ETUG Learn Together Series 2009

Access AskAway via chat widgets Widgets can be embedded anywhere students need research help: Searching the library catalogue Lists of databases Moodle? D2L? Blackboard? Course webpages? ???

ETUG Learn Together Series 2009

Let’s try it out!

User Feedback I was stuck on the best databases to use and the help I got was exactly what I was looking for... It was awesome!! Thank you so much!!! AskAway is awesome! It's such a useful tool for students, especially when we're at home and so far away from campus! AskAway is a lifesaver, and the librarians are always sooooo nice and 150% helpful! Great service. A valuable tool in the fight against distance-based educational restraints. Keep up the good work! This is the best help for faculty that the library has done EVER!!!!!!!!! Keep up the great thinking re. innovation.

What can AskAway do for your learners? One of a suite of library resources that can enhance learners’ educational experience Increase learners’ access to the valuable research resources at the library Access to better quality resources leads to faster, more precise results, and more opportunities for critical thinking ETUG Learn Together Series 2009

Tell your learners about AskAway! Have a librarian come into class to demo AskAway and other library services Talk to your library about putting AskAway buttons or widgets on course webpages, subject guides, etc. Work with the library to put widgets into your LMS ETUG Learn Together Series 2009

Other ideas? Where else would you like to see AskAway? What would you like to see libraries doing for you and your learners?

Questions? Sunni Nishimura AskAway Coordinator BC Electronic Library Network or Contact Your Library!