What is QandANJ.org?
QandANJ.org is a 24/7 Web-based service that lets the user connect online with a real
librarian -- one-to-one in real-time -- for help with any topic or information need.
The service is accessible on the Internet at
www.QandANJ.org.
What is a typical question on QandANJ.org?
There is no "typical" question. Users ask questions across the board whether they are seeking health or legal information, doing genealogy research, researching a term paper topic, looking up real estate prices and business contact information, embarking on a job hunt, or researching virtually anything else.
How does this work, anyway?
Through a live chat component, the user interacts with the librarian who then sends relevant Web sites, articles from specialized databases, multimedia files, and other pertinent information directly to the user's computer screen. Librarians use both electronic sources and library print collections to answer questions. All the user needs to use QandANJ.org is a
web browser and a New Jersey library barcode number.
Who provides the service?
250+ librarians from
forty-seven different libraries and library systems across the state of New Jersey staff the service, working mostly from their libraries but some from home. QandANJ.org is supported in whole or part by the Institute of Museum and
Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act,
administered by the New Jersey State Library, an affiliate of Thomas
Edison State College, and is managed by the South Jersey Regional
Library.
Who uses the service?
The service is used by young and old, professionals and students alike. During the school year,
40-50% of QandANJ.org users are students, K-12 right up through college. Many live in communities directly served by the participating libraries, but all residents of New Jersey can use the service.
Statistics
QandANJ.org answered nearly
55,000 questions in 2006, and demand continues to grow.
During a busy hour, QandANJ.org librarians may handle 25-30 questions.
In our busiest month we answered more than 7,400 questions.
What does your customer
feedback tell you?
Our customers tell us
that they LOVE QandANJ.org! Many take the time
to fill out a short, pop-up customer
satisfaction survey. They consistently tell us that they
like:
-
The interaction with
a live person
-
That they got an
answer
-
That the library
"came to them"
-
The convenience of
24/7 availability
-
The speed of service
-
Help from a
professional librarian
Click
here to see real comments from real customers.
How can my library
participate?
If your library is in
New Jersey, and would like to join the QandANJ.org team, please visit
http://www.qandanj.org/invite.htm. For more information, please
email our Project Coordinator, at
qandainfo@qandanj.org
or call the South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative at (856)
346-1222.
|
