Needed: Additional Global Hours for 2010

We need to add 5+ Global hours to our schedule for 2010.

What is a Global Shift? 

A "global shift" refers to an AskUsNow! shift that monitors both the local ("primary" and "BME") queues as well as the 24/7 cooperative queues. 

Why do we need to add more global shifts?

AskUsNow! is a member of the 24/7 Reference Cooperative and as part of our QuestionPoint contract we provide additional staffing for the coop and the coop provides staffing for us. We all help each other out! Our QuestionPoint contract is also priced depending on the number of global hours we are able to provide back to the cooperative.

Specifically for FY2010/FY2011 for AskUsNow!, our QuestionPoint contract had to be under a certain level due to limited funding.

How soon are you looking for more shifts?

We are looking to maintain at least an additional 5-6 hours for January - December 2010.

Do we have to add another hour or can we change a current hour to be global?

Either one works for us, whatever is best for you.

When can these additional shifts be?

While we want to give back to the cooperative, that helps us provide our 24/7 hour coverage, we want to make sure that our Maryland customers are getting as much help from Maryland librarians as possible. To do this we have preferences on hours:

1st preference: Hours with lower Maryland usage & high on the QuestionPoint desired list
2nd preference: hours with lower Maryland usage & anywhere on the QP desired list
3rd preference: any hour, regardless of Maryland usage & QP desirability.

Where do I see our usage and the QP schedule?

Check out the QuestionPoint Global calendar to see when they need more coverage.

Check out the 2008 Averages to see when Maryland is busy.

How about an evening or weekend hour? 

YES! When seeing what you can add/change on your schedule, keep in mind that shifts after 6pm on weekdays and every hour on weekends count as two hours. 

Thank you to everyone who has already volunteered for additional coverage!