This checklist is the outline of the Three Part New Staff Training for new AskUsNow! providers. Each part builds on the previous one. No participant can move on to the next part without completing the ones prior. 4 CEUs are given for Parts One and Two.
Tutorials & Quizzes
Make sure to complete all tutorials and quizzes PRIOR to coming to class for Part Two. Registration deadlines are such that you should have at least two weeks to complete all of Part One.
NOTE: Some tutorials will ask for a "username" - just enter your first and last name so we can track your progress, quiz results and award CEUs.
☐ What is Maryland AskUsNow!? (3 minutes- this one is in quicktime format so feel free to right click and download before viewing- we're working to get this in flash format for better online viewing.)
☐ Activity: log on to AskUsNow! as a customer from www.askusnow.info or your library's website. Ask a question you'd like the answer to or pick one of ours. Please don't try to stump the librarian. Pay attention to how you feel during the session and what the librarian did or didn't do. We will discuss your experiences in Part Two.
Print out your session as a customer and bring it with you to class. Be ready to rate the service quality you experienced as high, medium, or low. What did the librarian do well? What would have made it better? For this activity, it doesn't matter if the librarian you get works at a Maryland library or elsewhere in the QuestionPoint 24/7 Reference national cooperative. We won't identify them by name in discussion.
Face to Face Training
☐ Review of Part One Activity: Using AskUsNow! as a customer
☐ Hands on practice with QuestionPoint chat
Follow-up & Practice
☐ Complete at least 2-3 practice sessions as librarian. Pair up with one of your fellow librarians, liaison, or Julie or Cathay. If you need sample questions to ask, check out our list of sample questions.
☐ Test yourself with
these tricky questions that are designed to trip you up! Think about the tone you use, questions you ask, and where you'd go for the answers!
☐ Shadow at least 2 shifts of another AskUsNow! provider(s) / liaison.
☐ Have another AskUsNow! provider / liaison shadow you for a few questions/shifts (at your liaison's discretion).
Congratulations!
If you've completed all the steps and checked off all the items on this page, you're officially an AskUsNow! provider! Go forth and chat!
Remember, if you ever need help, your liaison, fellow providers in your organization or around the state, and the AUN admin are here to assist you with anything you need. If you ever feel you need to repeat any of the above steps or would like additional training, just say the word.
