askON Student Operator

• MI/MLIS/LIT candidate

• Library (Academic) 

Description and duties: 

The Ask Ontario virtual reference service (askON), a service of the Ontario Colleges Library Service (OCLS), delivers real-time chat and SMS reference services for 11 of the province’s college libraries. 

askON is seeking to recruit first or second year MLIS/MI/LIT candidates to volunteer as askON student operators to help partner libraries manage the traffic of the askON chat & SMS services. Under the direction of the askON service lead at OCLS and with the supervision and mentorship of askON library staff, students will be given the opportunity to learn and practice their virtual reference skills in a live collaborative chat & SMS reference service environment. 

Students will receive instruction from the askON team and will be scheduled for one to two one-hour shifts per week. There is flexibility within scheduling to fit with school, work, and other commitments. Shifts will be in the evenings and during weekends. At this time, we are seeking volunteers who can commit to both the Fall and Winter academic semesters (September 2023 – April 2024.). 

askON shifts can be filled from any location provided the operator has access to a computer with high-speed Internet connection. 

Desired Qualifications: 

• MI/MLIS/LIT candidate, with a special interest and/or coursework/experience in reference service 
• Familiarity with a wide range of databases, e-resources, and publicly available internet resources 
• Experience in a 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, motivated, and reliable 
• Experiential knowledge of IM and SMS 
• Fast typing speed: 60 wpm+, comfort with real-time chat conversation 
• Familiarity with the askON service 
• Computer and high-speed internet connection required 

Compensation: 

This is a volunteer position. However, participants receive the opportunity to develop and practice virtual reference skills in a busy provincially scaled virtual service. Those who participate will receive a letter of reference testifying to their training and engagement with Ask Ontario. 

Additional information: 

What’s in it for you? 

• Extensive training that will strengthen your reference skills. 
• Experience in chat and SMS reference, a skill that may be desirable to employers. 
• Opportunity to network with college library staff who work on the service with you. 
• Mentorship by professionals in the field. 
• A reference letter from askON that testifies to your participation. 

What do you have to do? 

• Be prepared to participate in a half-day virtual training session. (These take place in late August – specific dates will be provided during the interview). 
• Commit to covering up to two one-hour shifts on the askON service during the Fall and Winter semesters (Early September 2023-April 2024). Shifts will be scheduled in the evenings and during weekends. Scheduling is flexible. 
• Sign a privacy & confidentiality agreement. 
• Complete training on AODA standards. 

OCLS welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. 

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