From the Harford County Public Library:
Edie White, Librarian at the Bel Air branch of Harford County Public Library (HCPL), was recently awarded Maryland AskUsNow’s Rockstar Award for excellence in customer service. AskUsNow is a live, interactive virtual reference service that provides librarian help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In the session that earned White the nomination, White assisted a customer in Illinois with finding books which are not usually available at public libraries. The award recognizes White’s thoroughness and consistently friendly, informative customer service while utilizing the AskUsNow service. White has been assisting AskUsNow customers for over ten years and also works on the reference desk and maintains the collection at the Bel Air Library. In addition, White is in charge of the Living Treasures Oral History Collection at the HCPL and answers all of the virtual reference questions that come into the “Ask a Question” service through the HCPL website.
AskUsNow is provided by a cooperative service of 39 Maryland libraries that uses the expertise of librarians to provide answers to questions, research guidance, and help navigating the internet. Customers can submit a question any time, day or night, and receive help from a trained librarian. After the session is over, a full transcript including any links for resources can be e-mailed. Since its launch on March 17, 2003, AskUsNow has answered over 400,000 chat and email questions. To use AskUsNow, go to HCPLonline.org and click the AskUsNow logo. Log in with a question and get connected with a librarian who can help. It’s that easy!
Maryland AskUsNow is a project of the Division of Library Development and Services, Maryland State Department of Education, funded through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Harford County Public Library operates eleven branches located throughout Harford County, Maryland. The library serves over 168,000 registered borrowers of all ages and has an annual circulation of almost 4,800,000. Harford County Public Library is committed to connecting people with information and promoting the love of reading within the community.
Edie White, Librarian at the Bel Air branch of Harford County Public Library, is the winner of the AskUsNow Rockstar Award for fall 2012.
Edie White is a true professional in every sense of the word. Congratulations to her and to Harford County for employing this wonderful lady.
Over the years Edie has been a shining light for many people who use the libray as a place of refuge from lifes struggles, a first step to new independance, or a place to simply branch out and find new wonders. Her gentle spirit and guidance has helped hundreds over the years. Congratulations! Your are a “Libray Angel”!