Outlines the tools and decision-making processes that help libraries evaluate, tailor, and launch virtual reference services that are a perfect fit for the community and a library. This book provides a checklist of issues to consider; suggests plans for sustainability of services; and outlines the pros and cons of collaborating in a consortium.

Virtual reference-today's fastest-expanding library service-raises many complex policy and implementation questions. Unfortunately, this service is in an early stage and experiences are limited. This groundbreaking volume combines the most current thinking and theory from experts and relates it to real-world virtual reference projects, studies, and findings from libraries across the nation. The editors have arranged the contributions into four distinct parts-Patrons of Digital Reference Services, Digital Reference Librarians, Digital Reference Services and Policies, and The Broader Context of Digital Reference-to highlight the users, staff, services, as well as societal, legal, and political environments within which digital reference services exist. The 13 chapters are based on presentations at the Virtual Reference Desk Conference, the nation's premier event for digital reference practitioners, that have been developed, updated, and refined for inclusion here. They cover design, operation, and marketing of services; user perceptions; training; personal interaction; policies; best practices and guidelines; user surveillance and privacy; and much more. Reference librarians, administrators, and information professionals will find these innovative ideas and practical experiences from the cutting-edge of virtual reference invaluable.

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...

Provides librarians with the resources needed to help their patrons use virtual reference sources, with hands-on learning activities, exercises, and assessment tools.

Shares experts' best practices, forward-looking models, and advice on new developments in virtual reference. Discusses the building of consortia, motivational and coaching activities for staff, instant messaging options, creation of subject-specific taxonomies, interpersonal communications improvement, and more.

A fresh, detailed, and thoughtful examination of reference services in the context of evolving community information needs and habits, a changing technological landscape, and new search strategies. Professional practices in the field of library reference services have changed dramatically in the past decade in response to shrinking print reference collections and evolving technology, search strategies, and user needs and interests. This new guide explains all the basics of reference services, covering resource types and awareness of their appropriate uses, collection development and maintenance techniques that support reference service work, the latest online searching techniques, and best practices for service interactions through various platforms, including email, chat, text, phone, and face to face. Additionally, it addresses reference service ethics; communication and conducting reference interviews; important policies related to reference service development, provision, and maintenance; alternative reference service delivery points now in use; and professional service provider networking. Both experienced reference librarians and those new to reference service will benefit from in-depth coverage of recent changes in online reference resources and print-based resources, guidelines for authoritative evaluation of web-based resources, explanations of online catalog searching skills, and tips for reference web page construction. The book also contains an expanded section on making digitized collections accessible and relevant; information on the growing need of members of the general population for help with various federal government access programs ranging from Veterans Affairs and Social Security to health care access, income tax regulation fulfillment, and immigrant documentation; and explanations of copyright in the digital sphere of resource use and transfer.

Reaching Diverse Audiences with Virtual Reference and Instruction features practical advice for teaching and serving diverse audiences using a mix of new technologies and old-school librarianship. The guidebook aims to provide a range of options that can be adapted for your community’s needs.