Announcement: Librarians Group Update on Feedback Group Closure

[rivka, Former Moderator]

As you may have seen here, we are winding down the Feedback Group effective May 28, 2019. We know you are likely curious about what this means for the Librarians Group, so we're creating this thread to answer any librarian-specific questions related to this change.

We have no plans to move the Librarians Group over to the new Goodreads Help, as we think it's working quite well. At the same time, we want to see how we can better support your needs. We'll keep you updated as we explore what we can do in this area, and please let us know if you have any feedback.

It's important to note that the Librarians Manual has moved over to Goodreads Help, and is available in the beta version here. The links to our old help pages will no longer work once Goodreads Help has launched. You're welcome to visit the early access beta for Goodreads Help; we'd love to hear your thoughts on how we can make the new experience as useful as possible for all of our members.

The Librarians Group continues to be the place to come when you have requests related to individual book records or related issues. If anyone has a question about Goodreads site functionality, or wants to report a bug, they should now go to our new Goodreads Help or contact support (at) goodreads (dot) com.

Please let us know if you have any questions!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

It will definitely require an adjustment to find things in the newly formatted manual. I haven't spent a lot of time looking at it, but at first glance it doesn't appear as user friendly. Personally, I like the current format and will be sorry to see it go. (Yeah, change is hard.)

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

I definitely think it's the wrong move to remove the Feedback group; I am glad at least the Librarian's group is still around.

[annob [on hiatus]]

Glad to hear the Librarian Group will stay the same for now.

I agree with Elisabeth that at first glance the new design of the Librarian Manual makes navigating it difficult. I think the manual could benefit from a 'help section article' that shows the table of contents of it.

[Emily]

rivka wrote: "We'll keep you updated as we explore what we can do in this area, and please let us know if you have any feedback."

Thanks! If we have a suggestion or question about the new Help section, where should we post it? Or should we send a message to Support?

[Shaun]

Emily wrote: "Thanks! If we have a suggestion or question about the new Help section, where should we post it? Or should we send a message to Support?"

Hey Emily! It's best to offer your feedback via the link found on the Goodreads Help home page. The link can be found within the banner located just below the "Search for answers" text box.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Is Feedback being just archived or actually deleted? My posts (and others) will be available via "Recent Posts" on my profile as long as the group isn't actually deleted.

[lethe]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Is Feedback being just archived or actually deleted? My posts (and others) will be available via "Recent Posts" on my profile as long as the group isn't actually deleted."

It will actually be deleted :(

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

lethe wrote: "It will actually be deleted :( "

Then how will they be able to generate a file of people's comments?

[lethe]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "lethe wrote: "It will actually be deleted :( "

Then how will they be able to generate a file of people's comments?"

"Once Goodreads Help launches on May 28, 2019, the Feedback Group will no longer be accessible. If you would like to preserve your contributions to the group, we've built a special tool that will allow you to export all the posts and comments you've made in the Feedback Group. You can find it on the group homepage by clicking on "My Group Comments" and clicking the Export button. This tool will be available until 11:59 pm (PST) on May 27, 2019; after that, the tool and the Feedback Group will no longer be accessible, but you can also email support (at) goodreads (dot) com to obtain your comments after this date." (https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...)

ETA By 'deleted', I meant 'no longer accessible', which amounts to the same thing in my opinion.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

lethe wrote: "ETA By 'deleted', I meant 'no longer accessible', which amounts to the same thing in my opinion. "

It may not be the same thing, which is why I asked. Since Shaun dropped in here, I thought perhaps he might provide clarity.

I don't necessarily need a file of my comments, but if they are available in "Recent Posts" that would be good enough.

[lethe]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I don't necessarily need a file of my comments, but if they are available in "Recent Posts" that would be good enough."

They won't be available after May 27, though.

I don't need a file of my comments. The tips and tricks I learned from other users are way more important.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

lethe wrote: "They won't be available after May 27, though."

Are you certain? I know the group won't be accessible, but every comment I've made in every group I've ever been a member of, even those I'm no longer a member of, is available via My Profile Recent Posts.

And this is why I have asked the question.

[lethe]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I know the group won't be accessible, but every comment I've made in every group I've ever been a member of, even those I'm no longer a member of, is available via My Profile Recent Posts."

Except comments in threads that were deleted by staff (or the OP).

Why would they offer us this tool if the comments remained available through Recent Posts?

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

lethe wrote: "Why would they offer us this tool if the comments remained available through Recent Posts?"

Of course, deleted comments have been deleted. Which is why I'm asking if the group is being deleted or if the group is being archived and inaccessible. (And I have no idea why staff makes some decisions, like this one.)

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Hi

I couldn't navigate the new manual but will try again later on today.

My main question is - will there be more staff presence in this group?

[rivka, Former Moderator]

We have no current plans to make changes in this group, but we welcome your ideas and will evaluate how we can better support your needs.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

rivka wrote: "but we welcome your ideas and will evaluate how we can better support your needs."

I'm fairly certain you are over-worked and underpaid. Perhaps a clone?

[rivka, Former Moderator]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I'm fairly certain you are over-worked and underpaid. Perhaps a clone?"

We have looked into that, but unfortunately human cloning is not on our current roadmap.

[Scott]

rivka wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I'm fairly certain you are over-worked and underpaid. Perhaps a clone?"

We have looked into that, but unfortunately human cloning is not on our current roadmap."

Typical!

[Dobby]

rivka wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I'm fairly certain you are over-worked and underpaid. Perhaps a clone?"

We have looked into that, but unfortunately human cloning is not on our current roadmap."

Well played, Rivka! 👏👏👏👏👏

[[deleted user]]

rivka wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I'm fairly certain you are over-worked and underpaid. Perhaps a clone?"

We have looked into that, but unfortunately human cloning is not on our current roadmap."

The way things work one close of yours might not be enough :)

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

I see they are also removing Goodreads prescence from the official Author's group, but leaving two authors in charge of it with a possible group name change. Glad it is staying around for those authors, I know that group is less busy than Feedback and less ... layered (may be a better word).

Was sorry to see the third announcement this week that Otis and Elizabeth are leaving.

Major changes this week. At least the Librarian Group is the one group left of the official three. Too many more major changes all at once and it may shock my system beyond repair.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Was sorry to see the third announcement this week that Otis and Elizabeth are leaving. ."

I had not seen that. Yes, sad, but after 12 years, probably time to move on.

Fabulous creation - thank you Otis and Elizabeth.

[Lisa]

rivka wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I'm fairly certain you are over-worked and underpaid. Perhaps a clone?"

We have looked into that, but unfortunately human cloning is not on our current roadmap."

Rivka, Thanks for the laugh!

[rivka, Former Moderator]

Please limit posts in this thread to the specific topic this thread is about. Off-topic posts will be removed.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

rivka wrote: "We have no current plans to make changes in this group, but we welcome your ideas and will evaluate how we can better support your needs."

Thought of one! :)

Could this group be renamed Goodreads Volunteer Librarian Group or something similar?

Until everyone gets used to the new Help Desk I think we will get a lot of requests that Librarians can't help with. If the group has volunteer in the title this could help. :)

[Lisa]

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Could this group be renamed Goodreads Volunteer Librarian Group or something similar?

Until everyone gets used to the new Help Desk I think we will get a lot of requests that Librarians can't help with. If the group has volunteer in the title this could help. :) ."


Great suggestion!

[rivka, Former Moderator]

We have always had some posts in this group that were not librarian-related. I will continue to redirect such requests as appropriate (with the always-appreciated assistance of some of you, I am sure). We are not planning any changes to the group's name at this time.

[rivka, Former Moderator]

A word about old links to the Librarian Manual (and other Help topics):

Links to specific pages of the old Manual (and other Help topics) will redirect to their new equivalents. So https://www.goodreads.com/help/show/3... redirects to https://help.goodreads.com/s/article/..., and http://www.goodreads.com/help/show/32... redirects to https://help.goodreads.com/s/article/....

However, links to a specific section of the previous main Help page (these often include the # symbol) will only redirect to the new Help page. So https://www.goodreads.com/help#defaul... will redirect to https://help.goodreads.com/s/#default_ed, which is just the same page as https://help.goodreads.com/s.

[Lisa]

Thanks, Rivka.

[Amy ~Lover of Books~]

I just have one question. Where does someone post about asking for a shelf reset?

[Emily]

Amy ~Lover of Books~ wrote: "I just have one question. Where does someone post about asking for a shelf reset?"

Go to the Help link at the bottom of this page, type Shelf Reset into the search box, and the correct thread should come up.

[Amy ~Lover of Books~]

Emily wrote: "Amy ~Lover of Books~ wrote: "I just have one question. Where does someone post about asking for a shelf reset?"

Go to the Help link at the bottom of this page, type Shelf Reset into the search box..."

I'm confused. Okay, I'm on the page, but it is asking me to log in to answer even though I'm already logged in? Also, when I click on Ask a question, it takes me back to the beginning of the Help section too.

[lethe]

Amy ~Lover of Books~ wrote: "I'm confused. Okay, I'm on the page, but it is asking me to log in to answer even though I'm already logged in? Also, when I click on Ask a question, it takes me back to the beginning of the Help section too."

Please direct any questions you may have about the new help pages to staff: https://www.goodreads.com/about/conta...

This announcement thread in the Librarians Group is not the right place to ask about site functionality.

[rivka, Former Moderator]

For general site queries, please either check out the new Goodreads Help (with its FAQ), or you may wish to use the Contact Us page.

This announcement thread has served its purpose. Closing thread.