Lauri McIntosh OCLC Library Services Product & Services Consultant QuestionPoint Goes Mobile

Agenda 1.QuestionPoint platform overview 2.Qwidget Updates 3.Qwidget Goes Mobile 4.Text a Librarian interacts with QuestionPoint 5.How to bring Mobile to YOUR library

QuestionPoint platform overview 1.Full Reference Management Solution 2. and Web forms 3.Chat, including Qwidget and optional 24/7 chat reference 4.Knowledge Base 5.Administration Tools – Reports & Surveys

Qwidgets can go (practically) anywhere! On your library webpage Search results in the catalog page Banner of the website Inside Facebook In WorldCat Local On phones with iPhone O/S, Palm devices and Android devices Design your own Qwidget with customized size/color, or use our standard template in the Forms Manager

Qwidget, the QuestionPoint Chat Widget

Qwidget in Facebook Libraries can create a Qwidget Application on their “Fan” pages. Current Users Include Azusa Pacific University & Univ of Nebraska, Kearney

Qwidget on Library’s Facebook page The Qwidget can be used from the library’s own page, and…

Library’s Qwidget on your own Facebook page Thereafter, it can be bookmarked to appear on the patron’s own list of bookmarked Applications, so that they can access it from whatever FB page they happen to be on….

Qwidget in WorldCat Local

Mobile Webkit Qwidget User goes to library’s web page using a compatible mobile device. (ex: iPhone/iTouch, Android, Palm Pre.) The Qwidget is replaced by a button inviting user to click to launch optimized Qwidget

At this point, the Qwidget will open full screen on the mobile device. The user taps the screen in the Question field and a keyboard appears, allowing them to type and send. Starting a chat on a mobile Qwidget

Qwidget chat in progress If links from the chat are clicked, they will open a new page, and the patron can navigate between the Qwidget and the pages clicked.

Ending a Qwidget Session At the conclusion of the session, the same options and links are available.

Bookmarking the Mobile Qwidget Available in some mobile devices (e.g. iPhone/iTouch) Bookmarked webpages emulates the appearance of an app on user’s home screen (it is not a downloaded app, it is a quick link) Multiple Qwidgets can co-exist on user’s Home Screen, as each icon is a link to a particular library’s Qwidget.

Text a Librarian collaboration Interoperability: Manage interactions with users inside QP, while Text a Librarian handles texting communications Requires subscription to both QP and TAL Discounts for libraries that subscribe to both (offer expires 31 July 2010)

Why Mobile ?? 3 Reasons to Go Mobile Today Connect with more patrons everywhere. Text messaging is the easiest, most patron-accessible way to expand the walls of your library. 4.1 billion text messages sent in the U.S. every day. No mobile apps to develop or download, text messaging lets you and your patrons get started immediately. Mobile is not the future, it is happening now.

Why Texting?? Text a Librarian Benefits Built specifically for libraries. Text a Librarian was developed with feedback from over 1,000 librarians. Patrons text questions on their phones, librarians type answers on a secure website. Includes robust reporting and transcript exporting. We manage mobile so you don't have to. No hardware to buy, no software to install. Mobile carrier certified and compliant means reliability and support you can't get using hacks, workaround systems or cell phones. Seamless Integration = Instant Gratification. Delivering an efficient virtual reference experience, Mosio's Text a Librarian works with QUESTIONPOINT, , instant messenger and web chat systems (Meebo, Pidgin, GTalk, etc). No training required, sign up and get started immediately.

Text a Librarian – Librarian Interface

Text a Librarian – Auto Responder

Alert to Librarian

Work flow  User texts a question to library  Text goes via phone carrier to TAL  TAL sends the text to QP  Text appears in QP’s Ask module within seconds.

Responding back  Librarians access texts in Ask, respond in Ask  Text Answer screen contains a character counter, & “Tiny URL” resolver  Send Answer transmits to TAL, which sends response via text to user

In QuestionPoint – List of texts

A single text – A closer Look

Reports – Ask Module

Keep up to date with QuestionPoint! QuestionPoint blog QuestionPoint wiki

What Next QuestionPoint Users Contact Text A Librarian Gabriel Macias Non QuestionPoint Users Contact QuestionPoint Lauri McIntosh or X Or visit

Question? Comments? Thank you for joining us!