askON Virtual Reference Interns

Knowledge Ontario – Ask Ontario
askON Virtual Reference Interns
Volunteer Internship; 2 hours per week; virtual location

Description
Ask Ontario is the project of Knowledge Ontario (KO) focused on delivering real- time chat reference services for the province. The project successfully launched askON/ONdemande Ontario’s first multi-type, large-scale, bilingual, collaborative virtual reference service in January 2008 and doubled the size of the service by September 2009. askON is seeking to augment our pool of second year MLIS/MLS/MIS candidates or recent graduates who intern with askON/Ondemande and help partner libraries manage the busy traffic on the
virtual reference desk.

Job Summary
Under the direction of the Ask Ontario Project Coordinator and with the supervision and mentorship of askON librarians interns will be given the opportunity to learn and practice their reference skills in a busy collaborative virtual reference service.

Interns will be trained by the askON project team and scheduled for at least two, one-hour shifts per week. There is flexibility within scheduling to fit with school, work and other commitments. Most shifts will be on weekends and evenings and will, as a priority, be in the ONdemande service. Student interns will have full access to the askON staff resources and tools in the staff portal. We are seeking volunteers who can commit to at least one academic term (Sept-Dec 2010) but preferably the entire academic year (Sept 10-April 2011). askON shifts can be filled from any location as long as there is a high-speed Internet connection.

Duties

• Become familiar with askON service policies and procedures as well as the services and sites of partner libraries
• Become familiar with RUSA guidelines for good virtual reference interactions and employ them while responding to queries
• Respond to questions from visitors to askON’s public, college or university service as assigned
• Identify teaching opportunities and help improve digital literacy and research skills amongst visitors
• Participate in askON live, virtual and buddy training program(s)

Desired Qualifications

• Ability to work in French is required as we are seeking interns who can, as a priority, work in the ONdemande service
• Second year MLS/MLIS/MIS candidate or recent (09 or 10) graduate
• Familiarity with Scholar’s Portal, Racer, RefWorks and other common academic research tools and resources
• Familiarity with wide range of publicly available internet resources
• Familiarity with Knowledge Ontario licensed resources
• Experience in a public or post-secondary reference environment highly desirable but not required
• Strong desire to work in a research and reference environment
• Well developed interpersonal and communication skills
• Self directed and motivated
• Experience with Web 2.0 technologies, specifically Skype, IM/SMS, portals and blogs
• Some familiarity with the askON service
• Computer and high speed internet connection required
• Moderate technical ability (able to download web-based software, manage multiple windows)

For more Information

Visit askon.ca or askon.ca/libraryinfo.html or see the job posting and FAQ on the School of Information Studies Ontario job board.

To Apply

Applications with cover letters must be received in electronic format and addressed to:

Jan Dawson
jdawson@knowledgeontario.ca

Interested candidates must be able to participate in a 2hr virtual training session.

Closing Date for applications is October 15, 2010

Due to the anticipated volume of response only students/candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. We thank everyone for their interest.