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Footnote

Rez. in: JASIST 56(2005) no.11, S.1238-1239 (D.A. Stirling): "Virtual reference services are becoming an important tool as librarians strive to stay current with patron's information demands. In 2001, the Washington State Library initiated the Statewide Virtual Reference Project (SVRP) to support electronic reference services throughout the state. An element of that project, termed "Anytime, Anywhere Answers," was designed to train librarians in the effective use of virtual reference services. The results of that project, including precautions and pitfalls, as well as the curriculum used in the project, are recounted in this book. The book begins with a short review of the Washington State experience with virtual reference training (VRT) and the means by which the guide can be used. The very first page begins with an example of a virtual reference session gone wrong and the authors set the tone for the remainder of the book, which decries the "Shazam! You're a virtual librarian" phenomenon. The second chapter provides a thorough overview of the Washington State SVRP, including planning elements, budgeting, convening of focus groups, and training development. Perhaps the most important information in this chapter is the identification of eight key skills, aptitudes, and knowledge critical in online environments: chat skills, online reference interview, internet searching, database searching, collaborative browsing, customizing scripts, methods for evaluating success, and coping with technical glitches. Building an the aforementioned eight key skills, Chapter Three of the book examines the "core competencies" needed for virtual reference. These 14 competencies are wide ranging and clearly demanding of the librarian training in VRT. In addition, the authors expound upon the eight key skills, aptitudes, and knowledge identified in Chapter Two. Constructivist learning, which has garnered controversy in recent years, was identified as the learning platform for Washington State's SVRP and is the subject of the book's fourth chapter. The authors explain why this learning Format was chosen-primarily because VRT developers felt that participants would learn better by reaching their own conclusions. In this case, constructivist learning involved virtual field trips, secret patron activities, and weekly chat meetings. The challenge of developing the SVRP is described in Chapter Five, with a focus an descriptions of in-person training, online training, and individual and collaborative learning. While earlier chapters discuss theory, practical issues involved in developing and maintaining a VRT program are the subject of Chapters Six through Nine. Important issues, such as curriculum development, training activities, online behavior, and post-program assessment, are examined in detail. Many of the issues examined in these chapters are those that information professionals are faced with an a regular basis. In discussing curriculum development, the authors describe the important questions that need to be asked, as well as important issues such as identifying and qualifying trainers and staff, course timing, determining curriculum efficacy, methods of training delivery, and methods of evaluation.
The real core of the SRVP, that is, the VRT training activities actually utilized by Washington State, are presented in Chapter Seven in roughly the same order as they took place in the course (train the trainer, orientation, chat practice, multitasking skills, virtual field trips, secret patron, transcript review, checking out the competition, policy and procedure review, sharing via a discussion list, and online meetings). Most interestingly, Chapter Eight deals with behavior, an issue rarely discussed in the context of librarianship, let alone providing reference services. As stated by the authors, "the most difficult aspect of digital reference service involves incorporating model reference interview techniques into an online transaction" (p. 74). The SVRP utilized an "online secret patron scenario" as a training tool that helped the student get the question straight, kept the customer informed, and provided the information required by the patron. The final chapter of the book reviews the important tasks of evaluation, modification, and follow-up. To that end, evaluative material is described and linked to Appendix A (assessment tools). In addition, evaluative tasks such as trainer debriefings and consultation with others participating in the SVRP are described. Finally, the chapter includes examples of unexpected consequences experienced in evaluating VRT services (from total inability to handle online transactions to poor marketing or branding of online services). Many useful appendices are included in this book. Appendix A provides examples of several assessment tools used during the "Anytime, Anywhere Answers" program. Appendix B consists of actual transcripts (edited) designed to illustrate good and bad virtual reference transactions. The transcripts illustrate transactions involving helping with homework, source citing, providing an opinion, suggesting print materials, and clarifying a question. This appendix should be required reading as it provides real-world examples of VRT in action. Appendix C is a copy of a VRT field trip questionnaire. The next appendix, like Appendix B, should be required reading as it includes an actual transcript from seven secret patron scenarios. A policies and procedures checklist is provided in Appendix E. Yet another critical source of information is presented in Appendix F, online meeting transcript. This transcript is the result of an online meeting conducted during a VRSP training class held in 2003. According to the authors, it is an example of the positive working relationship developed during a five-week learning course. The remaining appendices (G through 1) present information about support materials used in the VSRP, the VSRP budget, and trainer notes and tips. Clearly, VRT is a skill and resource that information professionals need to embrace, and this book does a fine job of outlining the essentials. It is apparent that the Washington State experience with VRT was a pioneering venture and is a model that other information professionals may seek to embrace, if not emulate, in developing their own VRT programs. However, this book is not a "complete guide" to VRT. There is too rapid development in virtual environments for any one to claim such an achievement. However, it is likely the most "complete" guide to the Washington State experience that will be published; therefore, this book should serve as a thorough and revelatory guide to VRT for several years to come."

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Date

22. 8.2009 19:50:27

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Footnote

Rez. in: JASIST 55(2004) no.4, S.366-368 (L. Mon): "The early years of the 21st century have been marked in the library community by a sharp increase in "chat reference" Services offered through library Web sites. Variously called "live reference," "virtual reference," or "chat reference," these Services utilize chat, MOO, instant messaging, and other online technologies to extend the live, synchronous interaction of the library reference desk to the Internet. In 2001, Stephen Francoeur found 272 libraries with chat reference Services worldwide, and in June 2003 Bernie Sloan's online listing of chat consortia included 47 consortia, which together represented more than 550 U.S. libraries. (Francoeur, 2001; Sloan, 2003) Jana Ronan's book is the latest entrant among recent works intended to guide librarians in the growing trend of setting up synchronous online "chat reference" services, and provides information about selecting software, setting service policies, conducting training, and managing staffing for a variety of different service configurations. Ronan, who serves as Interactive Reference Coordinator for the George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida, Gainesville, covers the practical aspects of launching and managing chat reference services in 10 chapters, followed by five chapters of individual case studies contributed by other authors who describe chat reference implementations at SUNY Morrisville, Austin Peay State University, Paradise Valley Community College, University of South Florida, and the University of Florida.

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Date

22. 3.2004 14:46:50