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Embedding the Qwidget

Page history last edited by Brandon Weigel 7 years, 4 months ago

The AskAway Qwidget can be embedded into:

 

We've gathered some tips and instructions here - add your own!

 


 

 

Embedding the Qwidget into OPACS & ILS

 

Embedding an AskAway Qwidget in your library catalogue, as well as your EBSCO & ProQuest databases, can be a very useful aid to patrons searching for books, videos, government documents etc.  Check-out the tips specific to your library catalogue software/interface first to improve your patron experience!

 

 

How-to-Embed an AskAway Qwidget in your library catalogue:

    • Create or update your AskAway Qwidget from the Qwidget: Create/Update a Qwidget for Your Library Website web page available from the AskAway Portal Administrator Tools Qwidget section OR;
    • Re-use your already existing Qwidget from your EBSCO databases, LibGuides, IronPoint CMS etc.
    • Have tips specific to your library catalogue?  Please add them here!

 

 

          Tips & Testing from ELN when embedding the AskAway Qwidget in your library catalogue:

    • Does your library catalogue time-out inactive patron sessions?  Catalogues like Voyager & Sirsi may try to time-out patrons, usually within 10-15 minutes, who are considered inactive and they may lose their AskAway chat session when the browser re-directs/refreshes.  The catalogue may try multiple times to time-out.
    • What happens if your library catalogue times-out?  Some browsers warn the patron that the catalogue session is inactive and the patron may mistakenly believe the AskAway chat is the source of the time-outs instead.  If the patron clicks the 'Stay on Page' option before the qwidget disconnects from the patron server - their session is restored (even from a red circle chat indicator for the AskAway provider).  If the patron is browsing in another window and does not respond before the librarian receives the "Patron is no longer connected." message - the chat qwidget will become unresponsive (but may appear to be working to the patron) and they will be unable to use the 'Email Transcripts' option.  The AskAway provider will no longer be able to view any messages the patron types.
    • Check-out what Referrer URL information your qwidget may show to the AskAway provider in the "Info tab --> Referer" section in QuestionPoint.  Some referrer URLs will give useful clues that the patron initiated their chat session from a library catalogue (examples below in 'AskAway libraries that are using embedded Qwidgets in their library catalogues').  
    • Test out your AskAway Qwidget in a variety of browsers. There are different reported issues and patron experiences with each of the most commonly used browsers (and versions): Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari & ChromeFor example, the Apple Safari browser may time-out patrons within Voyager & Sirsi catalogues with no warning resulting in a lost chat session after 10-15 minutes (depends on browser version eg. 5.05).
    • Consider adding some tips below your qwidget that may improve the AskAway patron experience from library catalogues.  For example: (1) Warn patrons that using the Safari browser (depends on version) may result in lost chat sessions; (2) Inform patrons they need to click the 'Stay on Page' browser pop-up if they receive it from their browser; (3) Remind them to enter their email address at the start of the session; (4) Give them an alternate AskAway link to try if they're experiencing issues; and most importantly (5) Ask them to return to  AskAway if their chat qwidget becomes unresponsive!
    • A link to AskAway may be a great alternative instead if your patrons are experiencing a lot of time-out issues!  If you add a menu option that links to the Ask a Librarian chat - consider having the link open the AskAway chat in new window instead of the same window. The patron may want to refer to their catalogue search or try some of your recommended searches while chatting with you.

 

 

          AskAway libraries that are using embedded Qwidgets in their library catalogues (6/6/2012):

 

 

 

Tips from other AskAway libraries:

    • The new Qwidget code was spawning security warnings when embedded in our SirsiDynix Symphony OPAC. Our IT guy changed the http:// in the Qwidget link to https:// (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), and the problem seems to be resolved.

 

 


 

 

 

Embedding the Qwidget into LibGuides:

 

How-to instructions from Michigan State Library: http://libguides.lib.msu.edu/content.php?pid=138007&sid=1193389

 

Tips from other VR services about embedding the Qwidget in LibGuides:

    • It can cause scripting problems if you have the qwidget in more than one box on a LibGuides page (i.e., if someone has it in their profile box and then they also add it in a second box).
    • We have placed the Qwidget on many of our LibGuides, and it doesn't need to be limited to profiles.  We created an "Ask a Librarian" box (use the rich text box type) and included the Qwidget code.  Generally, librarians link to that one box rather than recreating the Qwidget, so that any updates to the Qwidget can be made centrally.  See our guides: http://guides.emich.edu/

 

AskAway libraries that are using the Qwidget in LibGuides:

 

 


 

 

Embedding the Qwidget into EBSCO databases:

 

How-to embed the Qwidget into EBSCO databases - instructions from EBSCO:

http://support.epnet.com/knowledge_base/detail.php?id=4713 

 

QuestionPoint’s Tips: http://wiki.questionpoint.org/w/page/13839489/Qwidget-Tips#EbscoHost

 

Tip from SFU:

1. The qwidgets that are on web pages showed correct referring URLs, so a librarian should be able to click on the link and see what the patron was seeing.  In most cases, our URLs are fairly self-explanatory, so some people will be able to see right away what the page was.  Notable exception is the one in our ejournals page: http://cufts2.lib.sfu.ca/CJDB/BVAS/browse

 

2. The qwidgets in the EBSCO databases, on the other hand, all had the same referring URL: [  http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/ImportWidget/ImportWidgetContent?wdgtId=2044 ], so librarians won't be able to tell which db a patron was in.  Too bad.

 

ELN Tips:
There are some issues with the patron-side performance of the Qwidgets in EBSCO databases.  A web page identifying some of the issues is available from the AskAway Portal:  http://askaway.org/staff/qwidget-ebsco-databases 
 

 

These AskAway libraries are using the Qwidget in their EBSCO databases:

 

 


 

 

 

Embedding the Qwidget into ProQuest Databases:


ProQuest has now added the option to embed custom widgets & links into their standard-platform databases! 

PLEASE NOTE: Currently this is an all or nothing option for the standard ProQuest platform - the options to select individual databases or non-standard platforms like Chadwyck are not currently available. 

 

    • Create or update your AskAway Qwidget from the Qwidget: Create/Update a Qwidget for Your Library Website web page available from the AskAway Portal Administrator Tools Qwidget section OR;
    • Re-use your already existing Qwidget from your EBSCO databases, LibGuides, IronPoint CMS etc.
    • Login to your ProQuest Admin Module (PAM)* and navigate to the  → User Interface → Branding → the Tab labeled Widgets. *Changes made in your PAM only apply to standard-platform ProQuest databases, eg. CBCA.
    • Fill out the required fields and insert your AskAway qwidget code. 
    • The AskAway qwidget can be embedded into the search interface or as a linked pop-up window.
    • The option to delete the qwidget is now available!

 

Please note: To our knowledge, this has not been implemented by any AskAway libraries and documentation/instructions have not been created by ELN or ProQuest yet. Testing and trouble-shooting will be necessary! Please add your tips below or send them to the AskAway Admin Centre.

 

Connect & Customize image from ProQuest on embedding widgets in their databases:

http://www.proquest.com/en-US/promos/platform/feature_01.shtml#Connect

 

These AskAway libraries are using the Qwidget in their ProQuest databases (including some comments):

 

 


 

Embedding the Qwidget into Summon search results

 

1. Log into your Summon admin console

2. Find the “Enable QuestionPoint Qwidget” field and turn it ON

3. Set the “QuestionPoint Qwidget Instid” field to Custom

4. Enter your Institution ID, found in the “instid” portion of your Qwidget code

 

See the complete documentation, with screenshots.

 


 

Embedding the Qwidget into Learning Management Systems

 

Moodle

Instructions for creating a AskAway Qwidget block in Moodle from Kwantlen Polytechnic University's ed tech folks:

http://www.eln.bc.ca/askaway/documents/Embedding-a-Widget-in-a-Moodle-Block.pdf

 

BlackBoard 8 & 9

Thanks to Debra Flewelling from Douglas who has shared instructions for embedding the AA Qwidget into BlackBoard, with this proviso:

This is what our Blackboard people said:

"Though Blackboard 8 has a feature to share a web page (like a Moodle block), we didn't install it. So instructors need to create a web page for an AskAway widget in a course whenever they want to implement it. If they add it to their course masters, they don't need to repeat it."

So there may be some institutions who have installed the feature to share a web page so the instructions for that would be slightly different.

 

Instructions from Douglas for embedding the Qwidget into BlackBoard 8: Word doc  |  PDF

 

Instructions from Douglas for embedding the Qwidget into BlackBoard 9: Word doc  |  PDF

 

These AskAway libraries are using the Qwidget in their ProQuest databases (including some comments):

 


 

 

Embedding the Qwidget into IronPoint CMS:

 

How-to embed an AskAway Chat Qwidget into a Web Page Using the IronPoint Content Management System from Roën Janyk (Web Services Librarian at Okanagan College) and ELN:

http://www.eln.bc.ca/askaway/index.php?page=ironpoint

 

These AskAway libraries are using the Qwidget in their IronPoint web pages:

 


 

 

 

Swapping IM Widgets

 

Some Institutions may wish to offer an alternate IM widget, such as MeeboMe, during peak hours that connects their patrons directly with institutional library staff as well as the AskAway qwidget.  But offering multiple reference widgets can be problematic!

    •  Providing 2 separate IM reference widgets can clutter up your web pages and confuse patrons on which to use and when.
    • Offering just an alternate IM reference widget during all library open hours (eg. Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM) can put undue stress on finances and staff resources.
    • Offering just an alternate IM reference widget doesn't provide much needed assistance during all of AskAway's offered hours (Sunday-Thursday 10AM-9PM ; Friday & Saturday 11AM-5PM) which can frustrate many of your patrons who now expect extended coverage.


Institutions may wish to explore offering a 'Coordinated institutional IM reference widget AND AskAway qwidget' with a swapping/timing script, such as PHP or Javascript instead.  For example, since the University of Northern British Columbia have implemented a Wordpress "Qwidget Switcheroo" just a few peak hours a week they've reached the majority of their patrons AND found that they return frequently which has increased their overall AskAway sessions too!

 

Some timing / swapping methods:

    • Wordpress Advantages: Easy to use.  Disadvantages:  Requires at least a partial webserver installation of Wordpress. Cannot be embedded on webpages such as LibGuides.
    • PHPAdvantages: Times the widget swap off reliable server time.  Disadvantages: Requires installation and updates of the script directly onto the webserver.
    • Javascript  :  Advantages: Easy to add into any webpage.  Disadvantages: Usually times the widget swap off of the client's, possibly incorrect, computer time. Depends on the client's browser and javascript settings.  
    • Have an alternate timing / swapping script method to recommend?  Add it here or email ELN.

 

          Alternate IM messengers/widgets: (with some Advantages/Disadvantages - please share your own also!)

    • MeeboMe Widget from MeeboDiscontinued as of July 11, 2012 after being purchased by Google. Google also recently discontinued GoogleTalk Chatback widget service.
    • LibAnswers w/ LibChat Widget from Springshare (LibGuides)Advantages: Many libraries have experience using their LibGuides service already. Disadvantages: Pay service. New and in the testing phase so it's currently lacking some important features but they are exploring implementing additional features.
    • OCLC QuestionPoint Additional Chat QueueAdvantages: Staff and patrons already familiar with it's use. Can 'roll-up' into the AskAway queue during busy times if desired.  Disadvantages: Cost associated with each additional queue. Contact Sunni or ELN for pricing info.
    • LibraryH3lpAdvantages: Some similar features to MeeboMe and designed with library reference services in mind.  Disadvantages: Pay service. Some reports of interruptions in service due to server issues. 
    • Mosio's Text a Librarian : Advantages: If your library already offers a mobile text service via Mosio, or wishes to add one, they now offer free web chat widgets with their mobile texting service.   Disadvantages: Pay service. Other disadvantages to share?  
    • Other Low-Cost or Free Chat Widgets EG. Plugoo (Beta), Zoho Chat (Beta), Chatango, RumbleTalk, Yahoo Pingbox, Zopim, Olark Advantages: Many chat widgets allow for anonymous users. Some free, others allow you to test or use a free account if you don't use it heavily.  Disadvantages: You may need to use a combination of a chat widget from one service (eg. Chatango) along with a separate chat console for Librarians from another service (eg. AIM, MSN, GoogleTalk). May have limited features and functionality (eg. only 1-2 concurrent chats open at a time). May contain advertising. Many currently in beta testing. Have experience with any of these widgets or others to recommend? Please let us know!
    •  Have an alternate IM messenger/widget to recommend? Add it here or email ELN with your experiences & recommendations.

 

          AskAway libraries that are swapping embedded timed widgets (6/28/2012):

 

 

Additional TIPS from ELN and AskAway libraries:

    • ELN :  Use a script that provides at least 3 "state" options, eg. Institutional IM widget, AskAway Qwidget and Closed hours.  Use a script that can accommodate exceptions such as holidays.  Timing / swapping scripts will base what's shown on the dates/times YOU enter so any errors or incorrect changes will be passed on to your patrons.  We recommend you double-check your hours entered to ensure you've covered exceptions like holidays. Contact ELN for additional information.
    • UNBC Offer your own IM reference widget during the library's busiest hours only.  Check the AskAway chat server logs and with in-person reference staff to determine your patron peak reference usage. UNBC offers their own widget Monday-Wednesday 1-4PM and the rest of the time is covered by AskAway.  UNBC catches the majority of students online and in-library during these peak hours because this widget is also used for the roaming service. Contact Kealin McCabe for additional information.
    • Add your tips here!

Additional Discussion by Other Libraries/Librarians:

    • LISNews :  An interesting discussion by libraries/librarians on MeeboMe alternatives that some have explored.
    • Add your discussion links here!

 


 

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