This presentation is about chat tools for librarians

1. Virtual Reference
Technology Speed Dating
Monrow Public Library
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Sharon Yang
Rider University Library

2. Virtual Reference
• Digital reference
• Remote reference
• Real-time reference
• Live reference
• E-reference

3. Virtual Reference Technologies
• Chat
• Videoconferencing
• Voice over IP
• e-mail
• instant messaging
• Text

4. Features of Chat Programs
• No client (do not need to install anything
on your computer)
• Cloud based/Web based login
• Users do not need to create an account
• Customized display box (widget)
• All in one solution (text, IM, knowledge
base)
• Route/transfer chat seamlessly

5. Features of Chat Programs
• Multiple chat queues
• Co-browsing
• Statistics reporting
• Archive chat conversations
• Mobile and tablet interface
• Patrons or librarians can attach files
• Block abusive patrons
• Monitor chat for quality control

6. Features of Chat Programs
• Survey or comment at the end of the chat
for feedback
• Chat rating by patrons
• Collaborative answering among librarians
• Text messaging and email are available
when chat is off
• Integration with other applications such as
OPACs, discovery tools, databases

7. Features of Chat Programs
• Customizable auto-responder
• Pre-scripted messages
• Follow up after the chat
• Patrons can send chat transcripts to
themselves
• Operator’s photo in the chat box
• Operator initiated chat
• Monitor and detect patrons on the website

8. More Features
• Knowledge base kicks in when chat is off
• Keep track of web visitors (a returned
patron or new patron)
• Instant language translations to chat with
foreign visitors
• Floating chat box
• Paid reference services available

9. LibraryH3lp
• www.libraryh3lp.com
• Designed especially for libraries
• Cloud-based
• No local technical expertise required
• Web-based login and interfaces
• Separate login and interface for admin and operators
• User customizable chat interface or widget (users produce the code for
embedding the widget such as box, button, popup and more)
• Affordable/ inexpensive annual subscription
• A single interface for chat/IM/Text/email
• All in one solution-chat, IM, text, and knowledge base
• Simple and easy
• Multiple chat queues
• Unlimited users

10. LibraryH3lp
• Route chat, IM, and text among librarians seamlessly
• Statistical reporting
• Archived chat/IM/text history for analysis
• Availability of round-clock virtual reference service stuffed by library
professionals for a fee
• Mobile interface available for library experts and users (Reference provided
and received on the phone)
• Patrons can email the chat transcripts to themselves
• Patrons can attach and send files to the reference librarians
• JavaScript and HTML (not Flash)
• Block abusive patrons
• Also use XMPP/Jabber accounts, like Google Talk, to answer patron chats.

11. LibChat
• Designed especially for libraries
• Cloud-based
• No local technical expertise is required
• Web-based login and interface
• Use customizable chat interface or widget (users produce the code for
embedding the widget)
• Chat is combined with question submission form and LibAnswers
knowledge base (auto-suggest)
• LibAnswers knowledge base (auto suggest) and question submission are on
when chat is not available
• Customizable chat user interface or widget (users produce the code)
• Text/SMS
• Multiple chat queues
• Transfer file

12. LibChat
• Chat between librarians
• Answer Twitter questions
• Mobile interface available (not Flash-based)
• Statistics reporting
• Archived chat transcripts, chat history
• Monitor the service for quality control
• Receive chat, text, and emails in the same user interface
• Transcript download and email
• Comment at the end of the chat to collect feedback
• Chat transfer among librarians
• Chat ratings by patrons

13. LibChat Chat Box

14. Mosio
• Designed especially for libraries
• Cloud-based
• No local technical expertise is required
• A single Web-based login and interface
• One single dashboard for chat, email, SMS/text messaging and admin
• Receive and answer chat, text, and emails in the same user interface
• Simple and easy
• A tab as the link to chat, text messaging, and email
• Libraries can choose the tab from among 70 tabs or upload their own
custom made tabs
• Libraries must choose a pre-defined location for the tab
• Users have the flexibility to choose their preferred way of communication
such as chat, text messaging or email

15. Mosio
• Text messaging and email are available when chat is off
• Integration with Facebook, some discovery layer and OPACs,
databases, and more so patrons can seek reference help at the
point of need
• Collaborative answering among librarians
• Mobile and tablet ready
• Customizable auto-responder
• Customizable ready answer templates
• Statistics reporting
• Archived chat transcripts

16. Mosio Chat Box

17. Zoho Chat
• Designed for business
• Cloud-based
• No local technical expertise is required for installation and
maintenance
• Web-based login and a single interface for both chat and admin
• Chat, IM, and email on one single dashboard
• Limited user customizable chat interface or widget (users choose
the options offered by Zoho to produce the code for embedding the
widget)

18. Zoho Chat
• Chat offered in three subtly different ways for different purposes
– Live support for multiple librarians on a team, one at a time, to
chat with a patron.
– Shoutbox allows patrons to chat with each other and librarians
– Live Chat for chat between one patron and one librarian
• Multiple chat queues
• Mobile apps
• Statistics reporting
• Archived chat transcripts and chat history

19. QuestionPoint
• Designed for libraries
• Cloud-based
• No local technical expertise is required for installation and maintenance
• Web-based login and a single interface for both chat and admin
• Chat and email
• Chat for individual libraries, consortia, and cooperative 24/7
• Pre-scripted messages
• View a Web page in the dashboard and Push page to the patron
• Co-browsing
• Chat with other reference librarians via IM
• Pre-determined resolutions and statistical categories after the chat for follow
ups

20. QuestionPoint
• Transfer patrons among librarians
• Send emails to patrons after the chat in the chat box
• User customizable widget (Qwidget)
• Multiple chat queues
• Mobile ready
• Administrative monitoring
• Survey tool after the chat and statistics reporting
• Archived chat transcripts and chat history
•

21. LiveChat
• Designed for business
• Cloud-based
• No local technical expertise is required for installation and
maintenance
• Web-based login and a single interface for both chat and admin
• Simple to set up and start
• Chat and email
• Customizable chat interface or widget
• Email is on for patrons to leave a message when chat is off
• Operator’s photo in the chat box
• Operator initiated chat
• Monitor/detect visitors to the Web page and displays information
about the geographical location and if this is a returned visitor

22. LiveChat
• One chat per librarian
• Knowledge base kicks in when chat is off so patron can find
answers to their queries based on keyword search and auto-
suggestion.
• Instant language translations to chat with visitors around the world
• Plug-ins for popular websites such as Facebook, Drupal,
Wordpress, Google Analytics, Dropbox, Joomla, and more.
• Statistics reporting
• Archived chat transcripts and chat history
• Transfer chat among team members
• Prescripted messages (or canned messages)
• Patron rating after the chat

23. Chat Programs
• Oracle Rightnow Cloud
Chat Service
• Zopim
• LivePerson
• Digsby
• LiveHelp
• PHPLive!
• Olark
• LiveChat
• Tutor.com
• QuestionPoint
• NTRChat
• Askalibrarian
• WIMZ
• CuteLiveChat
• RefChatter
• LiveAssistance
• Askaway
• Zoho
• LibChat
• LibraryH3lp
• Mosio

24. Zopim Chat Box

25. Zopim Dash Board

26. Zopim Queue

27. Thank you for attending this
presentation. Questions?
Sharon Yang
Rider University Library
yangs@rider.edu