The Virtual Reference Desk
Creating a Reference Future
Published on 15. January 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-1-85604-566-7 (ISBN)
Description
Online chat, text messaging, RSS feeds - we never imagined that these technologies would impact on information services in the ways they have, and we can only begin to imagine the greater changes that tomorrow will bring in the world of the virtual reference library. This collection is based on peer-reviewed lead papers from the Virtual Reference Desk Conference in Ohio, which have been developed, updated and refined for inclusion here. This is the pre-eminent forum in the world for the discussion and dissemination of the latest information on reference provision in a broad range of libraries, where leading scholars and practitioners in the reference information field offer knowledge and advice for embracing the future of reference services. This forward-looking volume: guides information professionals through new training and staffing models; looks at performance standards and evaluation tools; offers advice for serving new audiences; and, helps build collaborations and networks for reference services. Today's reference services are unable to deliver to customers the enhanced quality of information they demand, without access to such techniques.
This cutting-edge text blends progressive thinking with practical applications and guidance, and is essential reading for all reference practitioners.
This cutting-edge text blends progressive thinking with practical applications and guidance, and is essential reading for all reference practitioners.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 151 mm
Width: 230 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-85604-566-7 (9781856045667)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
The editors R. David Lankes is Director of the Information Institute of Syracuse, and Associate Professor at the School of Information Studies, Syracuse University. Eileen G. Abels is Associate Professor at the College of Information Studies and Affiliate Associate Professor at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, both at University of Maryland, College Park. Marilyn Domas White is Associate Professor at the College of Information Studies, University of Maryland, College Park. Saira N. Haque is a doctoral student at the School of Information Studies, Syracuse University.
Content
The chapters explore: * bringing together teens and chat reference * investigating interpersonal communication in chat reference * training for online virtual reference * staffing for live electronic reference * establishing performance targets for a virtual reference service * creating the infrastructure for digital reference research * managing a full-scale, 24/7, reference service consortium * creating a knowledge base * building wi-fi technology and a new mobile service model * building a virtual community * creating a reference future.