Widget

See that gray box in the right hand side bar?  That's an AskAway branded QuestionPoint widget and below we describe exactly how to get one of your own and use it.  Here's some of the boilerplate description from the QuestionPoint folks.

With this install, the QuestionPoint team introduces the Qwidget, a Meebo-Me-like chat box that libraries can place anywhere on their website, at the patron’s point of need. Like similar widgets, the Qwidget will enable the library to indicate when a librarian is on duty and when not. You’ll also be able to set the widget up to give the patron the option of redirecting a question through e-mail if chat is not “open.” But unlike the familiar, commercially available widgets, the Qwidget will allow multiple concurrent sessions on the librarian side.

 

For the librarian, the Qwidget is another entry point into the chat queue they already monitor. The only difference apparent to the librarian is the term “[Widget]” displayed at the beginning of the patron name. The librarian will also see in the Info area that this patron’s connection has no co-browsing capability.  Finally, unlike other widgets, the Qwidget based transaction is preserved for additions, referrals, follow up, history and statistical reports just like any other QuestionPoint session.

  

Mounting of the Qwidget is a decision each library can make. Only the library’s primary queue will see sessions coming in via the Qwidget. Libraries must be using the Flash-based chat to see Qwidget sessions.

Creating You Own Qwidget

First you must log on using an administrative authorization and go to the Administration area, by clicking on the Select Service drop down in the upper right black menu bar

Navigate to the Create Qwidget area by first choosing

Institution tab

Choose Forms

Then Choose the Forms Manager Tab

and Click on the Create Qwidget link

 

You need to select your language choice from the Language drop down and click the submit button.  The Create Qwidget process results in creating HTML code for you to embed in a web page, so you can create multiple Qwidgets, all in different languages, colors and sizes to meet all your various patron needs.

Now you are displayed the Qwidget configuration display.  Here are the important elements:

On the right is a live representation of your Qwidget as you make your choices

Qwidget Name appears on the top line of the widget

Offline Message displays when no AskAway librarians are covering, you can put text encouraging patrons to either use the built in question to email service or place a link to your entre' page for the regular AskAway chat service with 24/7 coverage.  To place a link you'll need to use standard html link code such as:

<a href="http://www.askaway.info">http://www.askaway.info</a>

 

which will create a link to the AskAway.info generic patron entre' page

Qwidget Size and Color, choose a size and color that fits your web space

Email Option allows patrons to enter an email question when there's no AskAway librarian coverage available, see above to route patrons to the 24/7 chat service instead

Qwidget Code is the html text you'll embed into your web pages once you're happy with your widget configuration

Click the Test button to check out your configuration on a separate web page

When you're happy with your configuration first click Submit to save your configuration, then copy and paste your Qwidget Code into your web pages.  Side bars and other web navigation areas that are persistent across your web site are especially effective locations.  Note the side bar on all the pages of this wiki as an example.

Congratulations, you now should have a great widget to place in any and all of your web pages, making AskAway virtual reference services immediately accessible to your patrons regardless of where they are or what they are doing on your web site or on any web site you can get your widget placed on.