In this text the minds behind Temple University's real-time virtual reference desk walk the reader through six key steps to starting and operating a virtual reference service. They identify five service models: basic; homegrown; advanced; collaborative; and corporate.
Social web technologies present an often confusing array of options for answering user reference questions. Applying 20 years’ experience as a reference librarian working through the development of virtual reference and the integration of new tools and technologies into the industry, Thomsett-Scott lays out how libraries are using vendor...
Chapter One, Reference: The First One Hundred Years ; Chapter Two, Getting Started: Designing Virtual Reference Systems ; Chapter Three, Managing Virtual Reference Services ; Chapter Four, Marketing Virtual Reference Services ; Chapter Five, Where Do We Go from Here? ; Appendixes: A Software Feature Checklist B Sample Pre-employment Screening Test and Key ; Virtual Reference Services Bibliography / by Bernie Sloan.
Extensive data on the theoretical and practical aspects of electronic reference services! Digital Reference Services provides an overview of electronic reference services and software, and explores the opportunities that real-time digital reference services can offer in a variety of library settings. Experts in the field convey numerous opinions and theory about the growth of this new approach to answering reference questions. This book teaches librarians new methods and techniques for offering technologically advanced reference services to the public. The first half of Digital Reference Services includes such topics as: real-time or live online reference services the historical development of digital reference services and the role of the reference librarian mediated online searches how to create a virtual-ready reference collection of elite reference Web sitesincludes a list of the top sites available to the public how to start and operate a digital reference desk in your library The second half of Digital Reference Services covers examples of librariesboth large and smallwhich have used revolutionary ideas to bring electronic reference services to their patrons. These ideas include: utilizing ATM-like kiosks in remote locations from library buildings to connect with underserved populations implementing live, interactive web-based reference servicesthe challenges and benefits, cost, training, and workload requirements evaluating your real-time references servicesinvestigating self-assessment and blind reviewing, incorporating your assessment into an existing evaluative program, and obtaining the administrative support essential for an accurate assessment creating a statewide virtual reference systemselecting software, developing policy, marketing, coordinating the project, and staffing and training online reference management for smaller librariesbecause of the smaller staff, smaller budget, and smaller amount of patrons, is it a feasible addition to the library? much more! This well-referenced volume contains case examples, figures, useful Web sites, and case histories to show how the basic principles of digital reference services work. Librarians and students of information and library science will find Digital Reference Services a helpful resource to enhance their library and electronic reference expertise.
Digital Reference Services in Academic Libraries presents the background of DRS, evolution of DRS, the concept of DRS, emerging models of DRS, benefits and limitation of DRS, personalized services, trends and challenges, technological developments, evaluation and guidelines, effectiveness and DRS in academic libraries. The case study examined the existing status of digital reference services (DRS) in four selected public academic libraries in Malaysia. Focused is given on the awareness, usage, users’ perception, users’ satisfaction, library’s performance, and looked at the perceived needs, issues and problems faced by librarians and students. The study is important to determine how academic librarians are exploiting the latest information and communication technologies to improve reference service operations. Recommendations are made on the need for the implementation of synchronous DRS, enhancing the role of DRS, marketing and promotion, staff training, user education programmes and cooperation. The main contribution of this book is the assessment of effectiveness of DRS in academic libraries in Malaysia, the identification of perceived needs, issues and problems and suggestions on the areas of improvement in the use of DRS. In the process, a conceptual model for the effectiveness of the implementation of DRS in academic libraries in Malaysia is presented. The author also proposes directions for future research in the area of DRS.
This comprehensive survey of current digital reference practice focuses on the theoretical and practical issues of digital reference in libraries and information services, with special emphasis on the theme of quality standards and evaluation. The book is divided into six parts. Part One identifies the need for digital reference services; Part Two covers the management of digital reference; Part Three: real-time digital reference services; Part Four: collaborative reference initiatives; Part Five: research in digital reference; and Part Six: evaluating digital reference. Topics covered include: virtual reference--what it is and what it may be; rethinking privacy for the virtual library; providing chat reference service: a survey of current practice; real-time digital reference pilot projects; emerging digital reference standards; moving from virtual to cooperative reference service models; understanding the information needs of adult learners; information-seeking behavior of online users; and assessing quality in digital reference services.
Make separate library services for distance learners a thing of the past Internet Reference Support for Distance Learners takes a comprehensive look at efforts by librarians and information specialists to provide distance learners with effective services that match those already available on campus. With the development of the World Wide Web and the evolution of Web-based services, reference librarians are adding a human element to the virtual library, blurring the difference between distance learners and traditional users. This unique book examines how they deal with a wide range of related topics, including standards and guidelines, copyright issues, streaming media, and chat and digital references, and presents a historical overview of how reference and instructional services have been delivered to distance users—before and after the creation of the Internet. Internet Reference Support for Distance Learners reveals that librarians do not make a sharp distinction between reference and instruction within the context of distance learning, and that there is no clear boundary between “true” distance learners and more traditional students who might use services designed for nontraditional users. Online capabilities have allowed reference librarians to approximate services advocated by published guidelines and standards, including the ACRL Distance Learning Section’s Guidelines for Distance Learning Library Services, to provide a framework for librarians to plan services for off-campus students. Internet Reference Support for Distance Learners provides practical information on: how librarians can “keep IT simple” when designing methods to access reference support why library Web sites are vital sources of communication between the distance learning student and the reference-based instructional component how to set up a university chat service, including software selection, staff training and assessment how to provide students services beyond traditional provision of resources, including advising, enrollment, and payment of fees how to create an online assistance site that incorporates online versions of traditional print handouts, FAQs, subject guides, course-specific guides, learning modules, and instructional videos in one central location how to work with faculty to create online support for students in Blackboard courses the pros and cons of using open-source software how to create an online library assistance site how to create online information literacy course to teach independent research skills to remote students how to avoid copyright infringement and how to educate library personnel about copyright law how to use Camtasia Studio, a screen capture program to create audio and video for online presentations Internet Reference Support for Distance Learners is an invaluable resource for librarians working in academic, school, special, and public settings, and for library science faculty and students.
Learn and perfect the skills needed to conduct satisfying reference interviews in the modern technological environment with this easy-to-use guide. In today's technology-driven world, reference librarians must serve users who come into the building as well as remote users who ask via various digital means. With virtual reference and social networking tools now commonplace, reference questions have become more complex and interdisciplinary. The Reference Interview Today will help reference librarians decide which tools and strategies will best serve their diverse group of patrons—in person and in cyberspace. This text covers the skills needed for traditional face-to-face reference and how they can be applied in 2.0 media. Best practices for culturally diverse, disabled, and "difficult" patrons; strategies for public and academic libraries; and virtual technologies like Twitter and Second Life are described. Written by a practicing reference librarian, this invaluable book makes it easy to train paraprofessionals and serves as a guide for experienced librarians to hone their skills in new delivery methods.
Effectively assess whether any library is making good use of the reference/user service resources available today Libraries need to develop standards by which they can assess their individual performances in a larger context, and Assessing Reference and User Services in a Digital Age makes significant contributions to this ongoing discussion. The book addresses its subject matter via approaches ranging from case studies of individual libraries to general discussions of best practices. The contributors explore the impact of the Internet on the field of evaluation, focusing on electronic reference and instruction. They highlight current issues, present research results, and offer expert advice on how to assess online reference and instruction. All chapters are well referenced to facilitate further study, and many include tables, appendixes, checklists, and other helpful features that make difficult information easy to access and understand. The chapters that make up Assessing Reference and User Services in a Digital Age are as rich and varied as the backgrounds of their authors. Experienced researchers provide the results of studies conducted to determine the nature and effectiveness of the online reference services offered by various libraries. Practitioners and administrators from different institutional settings (academic libraries, public libraries, consortiums, etc.) provide their perspectives on the issues facing librarians who need to assess the electronic services they provide. In this important new book: Andrew Briedenbagh shows how a chat service can be implemented and suggests which data should be collected for it Buff Hirko examines VET: the Virtual Evaluation Toolkit Ruth Vondracek shares the experiences of a university library as it entered a statewide e-reference consortium, and offers advice and issues to consider before entering such a partnership librarians from San Jose State University present a model for evaluating electronic reference services that can be used in public or academic libraries Kathleen Kern discusses holistic evaluation chat transcripts are addressed in several chapters, including Joseph Fennewald’s comparisons of question categories, Lesley Moyo’s analysis of the use of instruction in the virtual environment, and Caleb Tucker-Raymond’s proposed set of quality measures for chat reference Laurie Probst and Michael Pelikan report on the use of a Tell Us What You Think button to gather user feedback Kristi Nelson and Catherine L. Ross examine a research study that asked library school students to submit a reference question online and report on their experiences Melissa Gross, Charles McClure, and R. David Lankes suggest measures to determine the cost and benefits of a virtual reference service librarians from Utah State University describe the development of their online instructional module Assessing Reference and User Services in a Digital Age is designed as essential reading for library administrators, public service librarians, and researchers. It provides general advice for practitioners as well as an examination of research results and methodological issues. We urge you to consider making it part of your professional or teaching collection today.