by the numbers

• Maryland customers asked 2327 questions via chat in June

• Maryland librarians handled 1684 questions via chat from customers around Maryland and the nation.

• For those counting along at home, we're up to 297,167 questions so far since March 17, 2003!

customer comments

• It was very helpful to just ask a question, without having to go to the library or make a phone call. Getting the transcript is helpful too.

• This was a wonderful service, and helped me find information I had already spent several hours searching for.  I really appreciate it. One thing I absolutely love about Maryland is our library service! Thank you for providing this.

• This is a valued service that is necessary.

• I am very glad that this service was available today. It helped me take care of a problem that otherwise would have cost the Library system in my county (and therefore the taxpayers) a fair amount of money.

• How fortunate we are for this. How hard you must work. Can we be certain to keep this service in perpetuity?????

• Absolutely WONDERFUL service! I cannot praise the librarian who helped me enough. :-)  I will definitely use this again. :-D

• Mary Ann Kurcher at the North County Branch is especially professional and courteous. She responded to my request quickly and with detail. I have also worked with her with the Library by Mail program and she was so pleasant and helpful. Thanks!

• THE LIBRARIAN WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL AND VERY COURTEOUS.  I REALLY APPRECIATED HER HELP! THANK YOU.

• Wonderful service, beyond delighted!!

• Thankyou for your help.It's really important for me.

• I was very delighted to receive this unexpected response to my question. Thank you.

• I like how you can talk to real people over the Internet and not leave your home and go to the library just to ask that one question. :)

• The staff is great, and really kind. They always help me, but It would be great if somehow you found a way that you always got someone that worked at the branch that you go to. Thanks for adding this to the site. It makes all the difference! :)

• I have already sent a hyperlink throughout the office. Thank you again.  

• I am very immpressed they are very polite and do not lose there patience with you!

• The librarian was extremely helpful.  I live in South Baltimore and it totally saved me a trip to the central location!

• I was transfered to Libarian Amy at St Marys and she was fantastic.  I am very pleased this service is available

• The CTR staff at CCPL is always courteous and goes the distance to find the answers that I need. They are a great resource and credit to this system.

• Was referred to you via the Geneology Desk from the Cincinnati Library.  It worked out very well and a GREAT service.  Thank you. Dave Tremblay

• I am very impressed with the level of professionalism and attentiveness to my request by your staff.

• this is the best website u  get the help u need and u are never turned down or get the wrong info. :)

• It is so wonderful that we are able to "communicating", actually by means of chat alive. I got the information about BCPLonline from City of Jacksonville, in Jacksonville, Fl. I wish I know what exact the year that this event hath occurred and was published in the Balto. Suns, I thought for sure the year was 1981 but maybe actually in 1980, after all.I am a student at Flrodia State College at Jacksonville, based in Jaksonville, Florida. My e-mail address is: [removed]. Thank you so much.

• Cynthia helped me with my online access problem. it was quick and easy. I love the public library!

• Very helpful.  Talking to her made me realize I was doing my citations improperly for my essay.  She saved me a letter grade!

• I use the service often. This librarian I believe was the best, most knowledgable one I have encountered. She was on the money.

• Librarian had very well performed, very easy form of communication. I was in the phone at the same time waiting for Personnel to answer. My question has been answered on line and still the phone still on the tape prompt. Thank you very much. Minerva
   

month in review

• Our excitement this month was around the June 2010 QuestionPoint Install that came with a very long-time requested QuestionPoint feature- typeback! Now a customer and librarian will see when the other one is typing! Release Notes

• the Usability Testing group for the /staff site is underway. We are gearing up for testing in August. (4hrs)

• designed, printed and shipped the 300,000th celebration poster to our Partner Libraries and created the Celebration Toolkit for local celebrations

• worked on the design for our new AskUsNow! magnet (coming soon!)

• worked to streamline as many processes as possible to help multiply the staff we have.

• On the 3rd, Julie listened in on an online webinar from WebJunction, "Retooling Frontline Staff with E-Government." The program was valuable in light of the Law Library initiative. (archive and docs)

• June 4th- Julie participated in the monthly VR discussion. Sad news about AskAwayBC in Canada. Read more.

• June 8th was our liaison meeting and the first time we integrated an online component for liaisons unable to physically attend. Read more.

• June 10th- Julie attended the MLA PSD meeting, gearing up for 2011 programming. Later that day, Julie listened in on a WebJunction webinar Nini and Maurice were giving about staff development and Merlin (view docs and archive).

• June 14th- Julie attended the 24/7 advisory board meeting (view notes).

• June 25-29, ALA!

• June 30- Participated in first meeting of Public Education Committee of the Maryland Access to Justice Commission as a member. (2hrs)

Top 10 

We want to recognize the "top 10" of various topics each month. Let us know what topics you're interested in!