Since my last article on digital reference in November 2000, obviously a lot has changed. I thought it appropriate, then, to write another article about digital reference services that brings us up to 2003.
While much has changed, there are still a few things that remain the same -- namely, Bernie Sloan's excellent compilations on the topic of digital/virtual reference. They're still the resources to get you acquainted with the digital reference field and aprised of current research and new developments. If you aren't well-acquainted with them yet, you simply must spend some time with these great resources:
Digital Reference Services: A Bibliography
"The more than 500 items listed in this bibliography relate to the topic of online or virtual or digital reference services, i.e., the provision of reference services, involving collaboration between library user and librarian, in a computer-based medium. These services can utilize various media, including e-mail, Web forms, chat, video, Web customer call center software, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), etc..."
Digital Reference Primer
"This resource is intended to provide a basic, general introduction to digital reference services. I define digital reference services as the provision of reference services, involving collaboration between library user and librarian, in a computer-based medium. These services can utilize various media, including e-mail, Web forms, chat, video, Web customer call center software, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), etc."
Live Digital Reference Case Studies: A Bibliography
"...a brief bibliography of articles/papers/reports/case studies written about digital reference services at specific libraries, written by people with some sort of formal affiliation with the project. In other words, people reporting about experiences with digital reference."
Collaborative Live Reference Services
"...a listing of collaborative live reference services, i.e., real-time reference services offered by two or more libraries. I've attempted to list the services in alphabetical order by sponsoring organization. If there is no one sponsoring organization, the service is listed alphabetically by the name of the service."
And you can access all of the above (and more) from Bernie Sloan's Digital Reference Pages
Another great resource that's been around for a while and continues to be one of the best is The Teaching Librarian. Stephen Francoeur covers forms of digital reference (email, Web forms, chat, etc.) and an index of services by constorium, country, library type and software.
More great places to learn are: LiveRef(sm): A Registry of Real-Time Digital Reference Services; The Virtual Reference Desk Digital Reference Resources; and LibraryHQ: Digital Reference Services in Libraries.
While much has changed, there are still a few things that remain the same -- namely, Bernie Sloan's excellent compilations on the topic of digital/virtual reference. They're still the resources to get you acquainted with the digital reference field and aprised of current research and new developments. If you aren't well-acquainted with them yet, you simply must spend some time with these great resources:
Digital Reference Services: A Bibliography
"The more than 500 items listed in this bibliography relate to the topic of online or virtual or digital reference services, i.e., the provision of reference services, involving collaboration between library user and librarian, in a computer-based medium. These services can utilize various media, including e-mail, Web forms, chat, video, Web customer call center software, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), etc..."
Digital Reference Primer
"This resource is intended to provide a basic, general introduction to digital reference services. I define digital reference services as the provision of reference services, involving collaboration between library user and librarian, in a computer-based medium. These services can utilize various media, including e-mail, Web forms, chat, video, Web customer call center software, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), etc."
Live Digital Reference Case Studies: A Bibliography
"...a brief bibliography of articles/papers/reports/case studies written about digital reference services at specific libraries, written by people with some sort of formal affiliation with the project. In other words, people reporting about experiences with digital reference."
Collaborative Live Reference Services
"...a listing of collaborative live reference services, i.e., real-time reference services offered by two or more libraries. I've attempted to list the services in alphabetical order by sponsoring organization. If there is no one sponsoring organization, the service is listed alphabetically by the name of the service."
And you can access all of the above (and more) from Bernie Sloan's Digital Reference Pages
Another great resource that's been around for a while and continues to be one of the best is The Teaching Librarian. Stephen Francoeur covers forms of digital reference (email, Web forms, chat, etc.) and an index of services by constorium, country, library type and software.
More great places to learn are: LiveRef(sm): A Registry of Real-Time Digital Reference Services; The Virtual Reference Desk Digital Reference Resources; and LibraryHQ: Digital Reference Services in Libraries.
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