Ask a Librarian will be moving to a new software platform

We are excited to announce that we have officially awarded the new software contract to InstantService. This change means so many great things for the future of Ask a Librarian. The ink is still drying on the contact, but I wanted to let you know as soon as possible.

We’ve increased in usage by almost 200 percent since we started Ask a Librarian in 2003, and we’re continuing to grow in usage and in number of participating libraries. InstantService is a large, flexible software platform that will grow with us indefinitely over the years.

We are still perfecting our migration plan, but we plan to move to the new platform on the week of September 30. In the next couple of weeks, we will release much more information on what this involves for each of you, so please stay tuned.

So far, our plan includes:

– TONS of training throughout the state, primarily for those currently staffing the service with a few sessions for those new to the service. We envision the training to be short sessions (possibly two hours), and we plan to offer them regionally and online. Our goal is to make sure everyone is comfortable with the new software before the move. Initial training will start in August and continue through October. Traci, our new virtual reference coordinator, and I will be calling and setting up training sessions shortly, so you will have plenty of advance notice.

– Online practice time so you can become familiar with the new software. While it looks very different, the transition should be very easy if you already use Ask a Librarian.

- We will no longer have the training room for the old software after next Wednesday. The Ask a Librarian Team needs to use this server to set up the new service. If you need to practice, please contact Traci Avet (avett@tblc.org) and she will help make arrangements for you.

In the meantime, we will continue to promote, staff and use the current software as we always have. While we are all excited about the new software and all its potential, it’s important not to neglect our current software.

We’ll be in touch soon with more information, but please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Ask a Librarian hires virtual reference coordinator

The Tampa Bay Library Consortium welcomes Traci Avet as the new Ask a Librarian virtual reference coordinator. Traci was a reference librarian for the Palm Beach County Library System for five years before accepting the position with Ask a Librarian.

“Traci has a combination of face-to-face and virtual reference experience that is vital for this position,” said Diana Sachs-Silveira, virtual reference manager for Ask a Librarian. “We’re confident that she’ll go far with Ask a Librarian.”

Born and raised in Houma, La. – a town just south of New Orleans – Traci earned her Master of Arts in Library and Information Science from the University of South Florida. Her wide range of interests include glass mosaic tiling, sewing, snorkeling, reading and writing. She and her longhaired Chihuahua relocated from West Palm Beach to the Tampa area for this position, and Traci looks forward to exploring the area and getting to know the Ask a Librarian community.

Welcome Traci!!!