« SMS sender service | Main | 7 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners »

December 04, 2007

Adding MeeboMe Widget to the library catalog

David Lee King wrote about adding the MeeboMe Widget to his library's catalog.  It shows up whenever there is an unsuccessful keyword search.  This way your users have on-screen access to live help from library staff when and where they often need it--while using our confusing and multi-layered catalogs.  For the sake of argument, let's assume that your library's catalog is perfectly functional and easy to use.  Even then, in this imaginary case, adding a MeeboMe Widget is important.  Why?  Library catalogs are our single biggest point of contact with our users.  They get used much more than our library websites, which is where most libraries have placed their MeeboMe Widgets (which is also good, just not the biggest point of potential contact).

December 4, 2007 | Permalink

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d8341c511253ef00e5505217cf8833

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Adding MeeboMe Widget to the library catalog:

Comments

I've gotten my library's meebo widget in both our catalog (HIP 4.x) and on the 'no results' page for this page http://www.uab.edu/lister/tools/. If there are any HIP 4.x users out there that want details just let me know. It's been really well received.

Lisa

Posted by: Lisa | December10, 2007

I'm sorry to hear that your project isn't working. First off, I want to say that not every service works for every community. But I find it strange that not a single log-in has happened. It makes me wonder if the service actually works--but I'll assume you've tested it to make sure the code actually works inside the catalog frame. I would like to find out how the service has been advertised to the public--if they don't know it's a library service, they may wonder if it's an ad they're seeing. Not knowing what your library is, I can't take a look to see how it's labeled, where it's situated in the frame, and so on. But you can!

Posted by: Sarah Houghton-Jan (LiB) | December 6, 2007

We have offered the meebo service now for six months. In that time, not a single customer has logged in to chat with us, yet the admin is committed to it.

Posted by: r.john | December 6, 2007

You should check out Oregon State University Libraries' webpage. (http://osulibrary.oregonstate.edu/) We have a meebo widget embedded on every page. I'm even the librarian staffing it right now:)

Posted by: Hannah | December 5, 2007

Post a comment

*Please only submit your comment once. Comments are moderated due to spam problems. I have to approve the comment before it will show up. I will try to do it quickly.*
LiB's simple ground rules for comments:
1. No personal attacks, rude, or intolerant comments.
2. Comments need to actually relate to the blog post topic.