2024 has been another year for the books! Our Support Team answered more than 23,000 questions, with over 89% of those questions being answered within the first 24 hours! Springshare's 1,523 FAQs were viewed almost half a million times. Our Training Team held over 150 product training sessions, and we offered three days of SpringyCamp. This was the first year we had a full day of SpringyCamp dedicated to Public Libraries (and we’re thinking it won’t be the last!). The Springshare Lounge was lively with almost 4,000 active users, who posted over 1,400 discussions and 800 feature requests.
With all of that said, it’s time for our team to take a much-deserved break, so we want to let you know about our upcoming holiday closures and limited support hours for the remainder of the year.
Springshare Support, Training, and Social Will Be Closed:
- Tuesday, December 24
- Wednesday, December 25
- Wednesday, January 1, 2025
During these dates, we'll be monitoring for emergencies only. All non-emergency questions will be answered when we reopen.
Reduced Support Hours (9am - 5pm Eastern Time):
- Thursday, December 26
- Friday, December 27
- Monday, December 30
- Tuesday, December 31
Preparing Your Springshare Tools for Year-End Holidays
Often, during this time of year, our customers reach out with questions about how they can use Springy tools to prepare for inevitable schedule changes and staff vacations. Here are some quick tips for making your end-of-year run smoothly:
- Ensure Smooth Operations with LibAnswers
As the year winds down, ensuring your LibAnswers platform is ready for holiday changes is essential. Start by activating automatic email confirmation messages. This feature not only provides instant reassurance to your patrons that their questions have been received, but also sets clear expectations for response times. - Leverage Springshare's 24/7 Global Chat Cooperative
Even during the holidays, your patrons' needs don’t take a break. That’s where Springshare's 24/7 Global Chat Co-Op comes into play. This service is like having an extra team member who never sleeps, ensuring that your reference chat service is always backed up by MLIS-degreed librarians. This means your patrons will receive expert assistance, regardless of the time or day, maintaining the high standard of service they expect. If you haven't already, consider adding 24/7/365 chat coverage to your reference outreach. It's the perfect solution for libraries seeking to offer uninterrupted support. You can relax knowing your patrons are receiving qualified reference assistance, even while you’re closed. - Optimize LibCal for Holiday Schedules
LibCal is your go-to tool for managing calendars during the holiday season. Double-check that you've set up hours exceptions for specific holiday dates. This feature allows you to adjust opening hours or note closures with ease, ensuring your patrons are informed and your staff is prepared. Put your weekly hours templates to good use to effortlessly apply changes across multiple dates, and don’t forget to update your Appointments availability. Ensuring that your calendar reflects your actual working hours will prevent any scheduling conflicts and let you focus more on the festivities and less on the logistics. - Master LibStaffer for Efficient Staff Management
As holiday cheer fills the air, so do the complexities of staff scheduling. LibStaffer can be your trusty sidekick in managing these challenges. Begin by adding and managing holidays within the tool, providing a clear overview of who is available and when. This is particularly useful for ensuring coverage during peak times, so no patron inquiry goes unanswered. You can also use LibStaffer's email functionality to keep your team in the loop. Sending out reminders about holiday schedules or changes ensures everyone is on the same page.Read even more tips about using LibAnswers, LibCal, and LibStaffer for end-of-year prep!
Empower Yourself with Self-Paced Learning Resources
While the holidays are a time for winding down, they also present an excellent opportunity for personal development. Springshare provides a wealth of self-paced learning resources that can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Dive into SpringyU, where you can learn through short videos in your choice of Blocks, Courses, or Projects. This flexible learning approach allows you to enhance your skills at your own pace, giving you the tools to return in the new year with fresh insights!
Stay Connected with the Springshare Community
The Springshare community is a vibrant space filled with passionate librarians and innovative ideas. This holiday season, keep the connection alive by interacting with your peers in the Springshare Lounge. It's the ideal place to share experiences, ask questions, and discover how others are using their Springy Tools in exciting ways.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season from all of us at Springshare! We can't wait to see you thrive in the new year.