[OPLINLIST] KIN24x7 Access and Public Library Websites

Fri Jan 17 13:52:28 EST 2014

KnowItNow24x7, the collaborative statewide online reference service, is freely-available to every Ohioan. For this reason, every public library is highly encouraged to have a readily-accessible link to the service somewhere on their website (preferably the homepage). 

In light of this, 256* Ohio public library websites were recently viewed to see where (and if) links to KnowItNow24x7 were posted. (The list of library websites examined is posted below.) 
Of the 256: 

    * 80% (205 sites) had some kind of link somewhere on their site. 
    * 51% (131 sites) had a version of the current logo somewhere on their site. 
    * 49% (125 sites) had some kind of link (text or logo) somewhere on their homepage. 
    * 19% (49 sites) had no link anywhere on their site. 
    * 3.5% (9 sites) still had links to HomeworkNow and/or ReadThisNow. 

There is some good news and some bad news hiding in those numbers. Let's break them down line-by-line: 

The fact that 80% had some kind of link is good news; however, “ somewhere on their site” was defined as broadly as possible. Links ran the gamut from prominent logos on the homepage to a text link buried multiple levels down on a “Research Databases” page. A couple libraries made mention of KnowItNow24x7 in an explanatory paragraph about OPLIN and then just provided a link to the Ohio Web Library . A number of libraries had a link on the “Ask a Librarian” or “Contact Us” page. Another group didn’t use the term “KnowItNow24x7” but rather linked to the service via phrases like Ask Us , 24x7 Service , 24x7 Reference , and other variations. 

The last option (i.e., using Ask Us , 24x7 Service , etc.) does offer some possible ways to "explain" the service better (e.g., the service is available 24x7, non-local librarians may answer your question, etc.), but consistent branding should be considered before going this route. Having the current KnowItNow24x7 logo (as 51% did) is important to provide a sense of brand continuity between the library’s website and the KnowItNow24x7 site . Having the old, pre-2009 logo linking to http://www.knowitnow.org could potentially be disorienting to patrons. Logos can be downloaded from the Marketing Materials page. 

Less than half of the sites had a link to KnowItNow24x7 on the homepage. Those that did were, in many cases, thanks to OPLIN’s Dynamic Web Kits . Having a link on the homepage provides patrons with a clearly-visible, up-front link to the free statewide service. The least optimal option is to bury the link to KnowItNow24x7 on a list of reference databases since it really isn’t a database but rather a service. 

The 19% that had no link (or potentially one sufficiently hidden as to be undiscoverable) were a diverse group: from small rural libraries to county-wide systems. Especially for smaller libraries (that may have limited hours and/or staff), KnowItNow24x7 can be a great complement to the services provided at the local level. For this reason, every library is encouraged to post a link and share information about the service with their local patrons and school library media specialists. 

The nine libraries that still had links to HomeworkNow and/or ReadThisNow have been contacted and asked to remove them. Both HomeworkNow and ReadThisNow were consolidated into KnowItNow24x7 in 2010 and no longer re-direct to library services. Recent OPLIN listserv messages from the State Library of Ohio have also encouraged libraries to delete these links due to their no longer being connected with any library services. 

These findings lead to the following recommendations and best practices. Libraries are highly encouraged to: 

    * Post a clearly-visible link to KnowItNow24x7 at http://www.knowitnow.org on their website. 
        * You do NOT have to provide staffing for the statewide service to post a link to KnowItNow24x7 
        * However, if your library is interested in volunteering staff time, please check out the Volunteering link. 
    * Post the link somewhere on the homepage (or in an equally well-traveled and visible spot). 
    * Include the KnowItNow24x7 logo, available for free download at the Marketing Materials page. 
    * Encourage local school library media specialists to post a similar link on their websites. 
    * Distribute materials with the KnowItNow24x7 information to patrons and schools. 
        * KIN24x7 promotional materials are still available (limited supply). If interested in receiving a box, please email support at knowitnow.org. 

If libraries have any questions about KnowItNow24x7, don't hesitate to email support at knowitnow.org. 

For additional details and links, this has also been posted to the KnowItNow24x7 Community Site at http://community.knowitnow.org/node/145243. 

* Note: While 256 is more than the number of public libraries in Ohio, we wanted to be as thorough as possible. Some of those may be older, out-dated sites, but overall this was as comprehensive as possible. To compile the list, the Ohio public library statistics from the State Library were used as well as their list of library websites . This was in turn cross-referenced with KnowItNow24x7's existing database. 

Don Boozer 
KnowItNow24x7 Coordinator 
Cleveland Public Library 
325 Superior Avenue East, Cleveland, OH 44114 
216-623-2960 
dboozer at cpl.org 
http://www.knowitnow.org 

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