In order to further fulfill my information need of learning how to use Microsoft Excel 2003, I used The “Ask a Librarian” service from Kent State and Ohio’s online reference service “Know it Now 24x7.”
Ask a Librarian
The “Ask a Librarian” service from Kent State was concise. I asked my question and I simply received a link to a website to help fulfill my information need, there was no other dialogue between myself and the librarian. The website provided several helpful links which were mostly tutorials along with a few articles on how to perform tasks in Microsoft Excel.
A copy of the conversation between myself and Kent State’s “Ask a Librarian” is as follows:
meeboguest932830: I need help finding information on how to use Microsoft Excel 2003. Specifically, I need to learn how to: create calculations in my worksheet, format and change the appearance of data in my worksheets and create charts based on data and use workbook templates. Thanks in advance!
imaksulibrarian: Try this: http://spreadsheets.about.com/od/excel101/a/Excel_beg_guide.htm
meeboguest932830: Thank you very much! This appears as though it will be helpful!
Know it Now 24x7
The “Know it Now” service librarian provided a link to a book about Microsoft Excel and informed me that a copy of the book was currently available. Obviously I have not yet received the book, but it seems as though it will be relevant and useful in my information need.
A copy of the conversation between myself and the “Know it Now 24x7” librarian is as follows:
Workgroup: knowitnowQuestion: I need help finding information on how to use Microsoft Excel 2003 (i.e. creating calculations in my worksheet, formatting/changing the appearance of data in my worksheets and creating charts based on data and using workbook
templates).
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This is the conversation you had with our agent
[2:49:02 PM] Crystal has joined the room
[2:49:02 PM] Joelle has joined the room
[2:49:03 PM] Crystal: I need help finding information on how to use Microsoft Excel 2003 (i.e. creating calculations in my worksheet, formatting/changing the appearance of data in my worksheets and creating charts based on data and using workbook templates).
[2:49:14 PM] Joelle: Hi! Let me take a look and see what's available to you.
[2:49:21 PM] Crystal: Thank you very much!
[2:51:03 PM] Joelle: This would probably cover your topic, but it's being transferred between libraries right now: http://search2.clevnet.org/web2/tramp2.exe/see_record/A194a5vk.001?server=1home&item=4 Did you need something right away?
[2:52:20 PM] Joelle: Oh, wait, you're looking at 2003~
[2:52:28 PM] Joelle: Sorry, let me find the right version for you.
[2:52:43 PM] Crystal: Thank you.
[2:54:05 PM] Joelle: This one should be good: http://search2.clevnet.org/web2/tramp2.exe/see_record/A194a5vk.008?server=1home&item=2&item_source=1home
[2:54:24 PM] Joelle: If that link doesn't work, it's Microsoft Excel 2003: tips, tricks & shortcuts by Mort Kantor.
[2:55:02 PM] Crystal: Okay, thank you very much for you assistance! This was my first time using Know it Now 24x7!
[2:55:17 PM] Joelle: You're welcome! There should be a copy of that book available now, too. :)[2:55:34 PM] Crystal: Okay, great! Have a wonderful day!
[2:55:37 PM] Joelle: You too![2:55:44 PM] Joelle has left the room
[2:55:49 PM] Crystal has left the room
Accessing Information Comparison
It took a few minutes for the librarian on “Ask a Librarian” to respond to my request. This is understandable since the site states that in-person patrons have priority over phone or IM patrons. Also, the IM box I used in “Ask a Librarian” was very small so I could imagine that it would be difficult for some users to view the conversation in such a small space. Another disadvantage to Kent State’s service is that it is only available whenever the Main Library Reference Desk is open. However, one advantage to the service is that it allows users to add the librarian screen name to their instant message buddy or contact list which is very convenient and technologically advanced.
Overall, I preferred the “Know it Now 24x7” service over the “Ask a Librarian” service because it is much more user-friendly. The Know it Now service provided my position in the queue as well as an estimated wait time for my request which I thought was very courteous. The librarian for this service was much more talkative and friendly and I received a response within seconds using the Know it Now service. Also, the chat box was much larger in Know it Now making it easier to view the entire chat as well as links which the librarian provided to me. What I liked most about Know it Now is that the service provided the option for me to provide my e-mail address at the start of my request. I was then sent an e-mail copy of the conversation which also included all links to the resources which were provided in the chat. Librarians in Know it Now are also available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week (excluding holidays).
Although I preferred one service over the other, I still think both of the services previously discussed are very beneficial. Both services allow patrons who are not able to physically go to the library due to health restrictions or limitations to still use the library service for their information needs. When compared to accessing the information on my own, I would have to admit it was much easier to have a librarian do the work for me! However, the librarians in “Ask a Librarian” and “Know it Now 24x7” are not able to provide some of the same services I was able to receive through my own information search. For example, I would not have been able to receive one-on-one help from the librarians like I did when my sister showed me how to use Microsoft Excel. I think the two services above would be best used when searching for information on a specific question or topic but a search performed by an individual is best if it is a “how to” need.
In conclusion, this was the first time I used both “Ask a Librarian” and “Know it Now 24x7.” I have already bragged to several others about how helpful both services are and plan on using these services on a regular basis in the future!
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