Question Point Implementation

[jdessino]

The official implementation of Question Point began today. I will try to post information as soon as I have it. Here's what I can tell you right now:

Timeline: Our contract with tutor.com ends June 30. Because it took so long to get the contract through legal, get the PO, etc, that doesn't leave us much time for implemenation and training. Gene is trying to get an extension to the current contract to allow us to finish summer coverage under the current software and buy us a little time for the implementation, but that is not yet a sure thing, Since we don't yet have that extension, we have to plan to be ready to switch over on July 1.

Training: There will be a training session the week of June 16 for the folks who cover the service. It will be a two hour Web based training. We have 6 possible slots, but there will only be one session. The 'winning' slot will be determined based on the slot the most people can attend. Please go to Question Point Training Poll to enter your availability. If you cannot attend the training session, it will be recorded and made available, but there are also training documents available on the QP web site.

Documentation, etc: I will post the QP documentation in the Download section of the board, but you can also go to http://www.questionpoint.org for all things Question Point, including Documentation, FAQs, Training Materials, etc.

If you have questions, please post them to the discussion board or email me directly. Jacque

[jdessino]

Gene has gotten the extention to the tutor.com contract. We will finish out the summer LRCLive schedule as previously posted using the tutor.com software.

Watch for an official kickoff date for the new, 24/7, service in August.

[jdessino]

Here is our startup schedule for QuestionPoint:

August 18, 2008: Individual colleges make the new URL for LRCLive available on their web sites (URL to be distributed by end of July). 24/7 availability begins but should not be widely marketed as open.

August 18-August 24: 'Soft Opening.' 24/7 reference cooperative will cover the LRC Live service. VCCS librarians are encouraged to cover their shift if they are able, but are not required to do so.

August 25, 2008: 'Grand Opening.' The new 24/7 LRCLive officially begins. VCCS librarians will cover their shifts effective this date. 24/7 cooperative librarians will not answer questions unless they are not picked up by a VCCS librarian.

If you have any questions, let me know. jacque

[jdessino]

If you log into to QuestionPoint and launch chat, you will now have the 'real' VCCS queue available to you. It will be labeled Primary Queue: B VCCS. (B is an indicator that we are part of the 24/7 cooperative).

The URL that patrons will use to access the service is also available, so, instead of using the 'Practice Queue', you can practice in the real environment from now until 8/18 when we go live.

Here is the info about the patron link (also posted on web liaisons forum):

LRCLive service through QuestionPoint will be available beginning on 8/18. With QP, each college has a college-specific URL to place on your web site for patron access to LRCLive. I have uploaded the list of URLs to the LRC Live section of the Download area of the forum so the colleges can start working on updating web pages.

Please note that the current LRC Live service does not end until 8/8. You can make the new link public any time after that as it will just show as 'closed' if anyone tries it before 8/18. [unless you are practicing!]

If you have any questions, please let me know. jacque