Bel Air Librarian Nancy Smith Receives Award for Excellence in Research Assistance

From the Harford County Public Library:

Nancy Smith, Librarian at the Bel Air branch of Harford County Public Library, 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.

Smith provided research assistance to a student who was writing a paper on the Mughal Empire. The award recognized Smith’s thoroughness and professionalism while working with the student on the question. “We are so proud of Nancy for providing such fantastic and accurate reference help,” stated Mary Hastler, Library Director. “AskUsNow is a tremendous resource to our customers and Nancy demonstrated just how valuable this service is.”

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, afull 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.

Julie Strange, Maryland State AskUsNow Coordinator and Kendra Frost, HCPL’s AskUsNow Liaison and Abingdon Branch Assistant Manager, presented the AskUsNow Rockstar Award to Librarian Nancy Smith on Tuesday, September 27, 2011.