View Project

G2S Project Code: 2023-WA-93214
State: Washington
Fiscal Year: 2023
Grantee
Washington State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Sara Peté
Director Phone: 360-570-5576
Director Email: sara.pete@sos.wa.gov
General Information
Title: Ask WA Cooperative Virtual Reference Project
State Project Code: 09550-2421-20
Start Date: 10/01/2023
End Date: 09/30/2024
Abstract: The Ask WA program provides online services for Washington residents by creating a network of collaboration and support among libraries throughout the state. To accomplish this, the Ask WA program offers a 24/7 platform for libraries to both offer services to their patrons and to contribute to the cooperative. This gives comprehensive coverage to residents statewide, even outside operational hours. Through not all Washington libraries participate in Ask WA, all Washington residents may use the service.
State Goal: Goal 1. Promote economic growth, access to education, and lifelong learning for all.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$34,250.54
$19,318.00
$0.00
$53,568.54
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Education
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Management of the AskWA Virtual Cooperative
Narrative: The project manager conducts regular consultations with staff from member libraries, leads regular member meetings, provides training, and sends out informational messages. During this reporting period, the project manager helped plan and moderate the North American Virtual Reference Online Conference.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Consultation/drop-in/referral
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 543
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 46


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: Yes
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 4
Academic Libraries: 42
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: Virtual reference
Narrative: Participants in the AskWA Virtual Cooperative answer reference questions from the patrons of member libraries as well as other Washington residents.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Consultation/drop-in/referral
Format: Virtual
Other: Answering reference questions


Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 20,678
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 1,723


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: ASOTIN COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 417 SYCAMORE ST.
City: CLARKSTON
State: WA
Zip: 99403
Name: BELLINGHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 210 CENTRAL AVE
City: BELLINGHAM
State: WA
Zip: 98225
Name: Central Washington University
Address: 400 East University Way
City: Ellensburg
State: WA
Zip: 98926-7501
Name: Eastern Washington University
Address: 526 5th Street
City: Cheney
State: WA
Zip: 99004-2496
Name: KING COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 960 NEWPORT WAY NW
City: ISSAQUAH
State: WA
Zip: 98027
Name: Northwest University
Address: 5520 108th Ave NE
City: Kirkland
State: WA
Zip: 98083-0579
Name: Pacific Lutheran University
Address: 1010 122nd St So
City: Tacoma
State: WA
Zip: 98447-0003
Name: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
Address: 200 University Parkway
City: Yakima
State: WA
Zip: 98901
Name: Saint Martin's University
Address: 5000 Abbey Way SE
City: Lacey
State: WA
Zip: 98503-7500
Name: TACOMA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1102 TACOMA AVE S
City: TACOMA
State: WA
Zip: 98402
Name: University of Puget Sound
Address: 1500 N. Warner Street
City: Tacoma
State: WA
Zip: 98416
Name: Washington State University
Address: French Administration Building
City: Pullman
State: WA
Zip: 99164-5910
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Despite a general impression that libraries and users might be moving away from virtual reference, membership remained steady during this reporting period. Program staff are interested in seeing how AI impacts this project, but so far there have not been significant changes.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
This program is stable and seems to work well for member libraries, especially since the billing process has been streamlined.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
24/7 chat reference remains an important piece for libraries to support their patrons.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: reference, chat