Screen Shot 2014-04-30 at 3.23.05 PM.png

The Multnomah County Library's "My Librarian" program lets library cardholders connect with a specific librarian through the internet, follow their blog and receive personalize reading suggestions via phone, video chat, or other modes.

(Oregonian screen shot)

The Multnomah County Library has taken a step further into the digital era, offering patrons a more personal online experience than ever before.

Several weeks ago, the library quietly launched My Librarian, an online tool that lets readers connect with a real-life librarian, without actually visiting a library branch. Instead, readers can build a relationship with one of 13 librarians through video chats, blogs and phone calls to discuss their favorite books.

The program, Library Director Vailey Oehlke said, is the first of its kind in the country.

"People like to know the name of their barista. They like to know the person that takes their dry cleaning has kids in their school," Oehlke said. "What we're trying to do is take that virtual experience and make it much more personal."

Online visitors can chat live with Nick K., a young-looking, dark-haired theater fan, about his favorite Western novel, or ask outdoorsy football fan Lisa P. for suggestions in the "bloody thrillers" genre.

The project, funded by a $190,000 grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation in addition to $35,000 from the Library Foundation and $57,0000-worth of in-kind work from the library, signals a major step into the library system's digital evolution.

Although visits to brick-and-mortar library branches are still the most popular way for patrons to connect with library staff, traffic to the library's website continues to increase.

For years, the website has enabled online patrons to submit questions to librarians via email, or chat with them online. But patrons never knew which librarian they would reach on any given day, making the online experience much less personal than a trip to the local branch, where familiar faces greet patrons daily.

My Librarian takes a big step toward humanizing the online library experience. It could also give the library a tactical advantage over online booksellers like Amazon. Although readers could simply search for "top mystery books," among the Amazon bestseller lists, they'd rather have a discussion with a real person, Oehlke said.

"Amazon is pretty transactional experience," she said. "It's not a conversation, it's not a relationship that develops with a back-and-forth personal connection.

After choosing a favorite librarian, patrons can follow the librarian's blog to see what they've been reading lately, or check their personalized reading lists for literary inspiration.

Or, patrons can simply ask Nick, Lisa or any of the other librarians to call them, join them in a video chat, or meet in person to provide specific book suggestions based upon the patron's interests.

Although My Librarian has been up and running for weeks, patrons only began noticing it Tuesday, when the library sent an email announcing My Librarian to a limited pool of cardholders. Since then, nearly 70 people have already connected with librarians via the new feature.

"The hope is, eventually, people will say 'I need to go talk to My Librarian,' when they need a new book," Oehlke said.

--Kelly House