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Slam the Boards!
The next "Slam" is Thursday, July 10, 2008.
Conference Alert: Reference Renaissance program available; early bird deadline extended. Check here.
BACKGROUND:
Very briefly, "Slam the Boards" is an attempt to get reference librarians to provide answers on popular "Answer Board" sites like Yahoo Answers, WikiAnswers, AskVille, etc. We also make it clear that the questions have been answered by librarians. This gives us the opportunity to demonstrate our question-answering skills to users who may not realize that librarians provide reference services. For more information, see the original posting below.
Let's make "Slam the Boards!" monthly (9/17/07)
Original posting (August '07):
Librarians invade the "Answer" sites
I envision a day-long answer fest. Answer as many questions as you feel you can. 5...10...20...you decide. Just try to do what we do well--provide answers from authoritative resources.
...and then MARKET!
This means making it clear that this question was answered by a librarian/library professional/etc. End each answer with the mention your own library, your VR service, etc. Add the link. Mention that readers should consider their own libraries, too. Promote it to local media. Keep in mind how many people don't even realize that libraries offer reference services. Let's surprise and delight them with our quality.
I'd like hundreds of librarians to do this. Thousands? Why not?
Be clear...you'll almost certainly be helping patrons who aren't yours, but I see this as an opportunity to make the reference librarian community more visible. I'd like to see a number of us remain engaged in the answer services, on the chance that the users will have us in the backs of their minds when they have questions they don't want everyone to see. As such, I'm not expecting to see a huge "blip" in our reference/VR stats because of this. But who knows?
What to do next?
First of all, pass this message along to anyone who might remotely be interested.
Conference Alert: Reference Renaissance program available; early bird deadline extended. Check here.
BACKGROUND:
Very briefly, "Slam the Boards" is an attempt to get reference librarians to provide answers on popular "Answer Board" sites like Yahoo Answers, WikiAnswers, AskVille, etc. We also make it clear that the questions have been answered by librarians. This gives us the opportunity to demonstrate our question-answering skills to users who may not realize that librarians provide reference services. For more information, see the original posting below.
Let's make "Slam the Boards!" monthly (9/17/07)
(Scroll down for the original "Slam the Boards" posting from August)
OK, it's one week later. Still answering questions? Any answers turning into "Best Answers?" Just a few thoughts that have come along:
Recurrence
Let's keep this thing going!
The comments I've seen and received seem to suggest that a lot of librarians would like to make "Slam the Boards" a regular event. A couple of people have suggested making it monthly. So let's do it.
In the interest of making things easy to remember, I suggest that the 10th of each month be "Slam the Boards" day. That way it'll naturally rotate days of the week (and even hit a weekend now & then). Remember, if you can't make the specific day, then pick up questions when you can. The idea is to stay involved and promote reference services.
Let's also be realistic...we all put a lot of time into the 9/10 event, which was a great way to announce ourselves, with some folks answering well over 25 questions. We can't do that every month, so if you did 15 questions on 9/10, think about 5-10 on 10/10. If you did 10, aim for 3-5, etc. Unless you want to do 15-20 again, then go for it! And of course, just remember to pick up questions here & there whenever you have the chance, just to keep a baseline of involvement.
Networking
Caleb also suggested setting up a chat environment to allow inter-librarian communication during the events, so I'll look into that a bit (open to any suggestions on how best to implement this!).
In terms of more traditional communications, why don't some slammers get together at Internet Librarian for a dine-around? Unfortunately, I won't be able to be there this year, but it'd be cool to hear what kind of ideas for non-traditional promotion of reference come out of a meeting over good food & drink--I've always liked Stokes Adobe (http://www.stokesrestaurant.com) and Montrio Bistro (http://www.montrio.com) . If it works in Monterey, then try it again at Computers In Libraries. And PLA. And ALA.
Original posting (August '07):
Slam the Boards!
Librarians invade the "Answer" sites
Monday, 9/10/07--All Day
Supporting Wiki: http://answerboards.wetpaint.com
I'd like to invite any and all interested librarians to be a little bold and have a little fun by going to online "Answer" sites, such as:
- Yahoo Answers
- Amazon's Askville
- The WikiPedia Reference Desk
Once there, let's answer!
I envision a day-long answer fest. Answer as many questions as you feel you can. 5...10...20...you decide. Just try to do what we do well--provide answers from authoritative resources.
...and then MARKET!
This means making it clear that this question was answered by a librarian/library professional/etc. End each answer with the mention your own library, your VR service, etc. Add the link. Mention that readers should consider their own libraries, too. Promote it to local media. Keep in mind how many people don't even realize that libraries offer reference services. Let's surprise and delight them with our quality.
I'd like hundreds of librarians to do this. Thousands? Why not?
Be clear...you'll almost certainly be helping patrons who aren't yours, but I see this as an opportunity to make the reference librarian community more visible. I'd like to see a number of us remain engaged in the answer services, on the chance that the users will have us in the backs of their minds when they have questions they don't want everyone to see. As such, I'm not expecting to see a huge "blip" in our reference/VR stats because of this. But who knows?
The point is to meet some folks where they otherwise wouldn't expect us.
What to do next?
First of all, pass this message along to anyone who might remotely be interested.
Second, this is a very informal "action," so you can just mark the date and start answering, but you may also want to visit the Wiki and put your name up as a participant: http://answerboards.wetpaint.com/page/Participating+Librarians. I'm very lonely there right now!
While you're on the wiki, share. Think of good marketing "tags," signatures, etc. that we can use.
Most of all, visit the various answer sites, see if you need to set up an account. Try answering a few questions. A couple of us have already done this and we've already got a few "Best Answers" under our belts. See the "Exemplary Answers" section of the Wiki. Post one if you've got one!
Then, on September 10, get ready to "Slam the Boards!"
--Bill Pardue
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More Info: links to this page
| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | |
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| Anonymous | Do you have to an official "librarian" to do this | 1 | Sep 10 2007, 2:59 PM EDT by Anonymous | |
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Thread started: Sep 6 2007, 2:25 PM EDT
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I work in a library, but don't have a master's in library science--so I am not technically considered a "Librarian." However, I do have a master's degree in another field (and have had to answer reference questions before). May I participate?
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| Anonymous | Challenging for academics to participate! | 0 | Sep 6 2007, 5:42 PM EDT by Anonymous | |
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Thread started: Sep 6 2007, 5:42 PM EDT
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This is a wonderful idea, but many academic and school librarians are still coping with the first week or two of classes! With new students on campus, new schedules and services, orientation sessions to conduct and attend, and intensive classroom support like getting Blackboard and Reserves set up, I don't know if alot of us will be able to contribute outside our jobs during this time of year. In any case, I find the marketing ideas are good ones for all-the-time.
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| lawilliams | CantfindonGoogle | 0 | Aug 30 2007, 10:24 AM EDT by lawilliams | |
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Thread started: Aug 30 2007, 10:24 AM EDT
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Another service to "slam": CantFindOn Google.com .You have to register, but anyone can post or answer questions. A lot of them seem to be tech support queries.
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| Anonymous | slam the boards | 1 | Aug 22 2007, 2:43 PM EDT by BillAHML | |
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Thread started: Aug 16 2007, 12:02 PM EDT
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I already do this on Yahoo Answer... I provide resources and then always suggest the person go their local public library where a librarian will happily provide the information the person is looking for. I almost always get a best answer for it too. woo hoo.. 10 extra points. People Like to get resources more than they like to hear ours expounding on opinions.
Great idea. I am SO on board.
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