Is it Real or is it Virtual?

Abstract

Digital facsimiles of the Netherlands viewable over the Internet or available on CD-ROMs-as an example of what may be available for other countries-are the focus of this article. The first part of the article discusses facsimiles generally, both analog and digital, as well as the way digital facsimiles have been produced, facilities and places where to find digital reproductions of maps and atlases.     

Evaluating Virtual Reference from the Users’ Perspective

Abstract

This article discusses the evaluation of virtual reference services from the user perspective. It is one outcome of a long-term research project, The Library Visit Study, which has been conducted in three phases at the University of Western Ontario for more than a decade. These studies have identified the need for, and essential components of, reference interviews and good reference behaviors. The third phase of this research focuses on the factors that make a difference to the users’ satisfaction with their virtual reference experience and whether these are the same or different from the ones we identified as important in face-to-face reference. An examination of user accounts of virtual reference transactions indicates that the reference interview has almost disappeared. Among the reasons identified for staff failure to conduct reference interviews in the virtual environment are: the nature of written vs. spoken interaction; the librarian's perceived need to respond quickly in this environment; and the rudimentary nature of the forms used in e-mail reference. The article includes a list of behaviors that users identified as either helpful or unhelpful and concludes with some implications of the research for good virtual reference service.     

We Ning-ed a Virtual Pre-Workshop: Now What?

In 2009, a group of instruction-minded librarians in Oklahoma added unconference-like elements to their usual workshop structure and agenda to make their workshop more participatory and attendee-driven. The result was a virtual pre-workshop hosted on a Ning social networking site. The virtual pre-workshop enhanced the actual physical workshop in several ways. The group's new challenge: where to host its new pre-workshop format without Ning and how to gear the new format to be more mobile friendly while not excluding non-mobile interested workshop participants.     

虚拟社区（Virtual Community）的知识共享活动研究

由于IT技术推动的知识管理对于交互式创新过程具有一定的局限性，建立在“社区(Communtiy)”，基础上的知识管理方法就逐渐受到人们的重视。在组织的各种知识管理方法中，基于社区的方法被认为是知识创新和转换的最有效工具之一。这一方法强调通过     

Sailing on the Silicon Sea – The Design of a Virtual Maritime Museum

Following the development of a virtual museum this paper theorises the implications this has had for the Western Australian Maritime Museum (http://www.mm.wa.gov.au/). It is an opportunity to explore the relationship between both theory and praxis. The context for the analysis is the Diving into Shipwrecks internet project (http://www.mm.wa.gov.au/Museum/excavate/intro/intro_frame.html) developed as a constellation of shipwreck excavations. The success of the project is highlighted through an assessment of statistical data and more qualitative forms of feedback. Having established one model in a virtual museum this paper then reflects upon other forms of the web museums that are appearing on the internet. The discussion has implications for cultural organisations that seek to create on-line environments.     

Adding a Feature: Can a Pop-Up Chat Box Enhance Virtual Reference Services?

Online users seek help from virtual reference services via email, phone, texting, and live chat. Technologies have enabled new features in library websites to help make this service more accessible and effective. This article is an evaluation of an experimental pop-up live chat box on the website of a health sciences library to see whether the feature would enhance virtual reference services.     

Consumer Use and Business Potential of Virtual Worlds: The Case of “Second Life”

Abstract

Several months ago, the virtual social world “Second Life” (SL) received considerable interest in both the popular and business press. Based on a series of 29 qualitative, in-depth interviews, this article investigates what types of behaviors consumers show within this environment and what business opportunities it offers for companies. The results indicate that users do not consider SL as a mere computer game but as an extension of their real lives. This has implications for how marketing managers can use this online application that go beyond those known from traditional computer or online games.     

Policy Game,Online Game—Simulated: Applying the Ecology of Policy Game to Virtual World

Courses: Communication Policy, Media Law, Emerging Communication Technologies

Objective: Students will learn the genesis of regulatory gridlock by applying the ecology of policy game (Dutton, 1992; Neuman, McKnight, & Solomon, 1997) in the virtual environment of Second Life     

Reference in a 3-D Virtual World: Preliminary Observations on Library Outreach in “Second Life”

ABSTRACT

As technologies continue to evolve, the library will need to explore new ways to communicate with the public. One of the newest technologies is a 3-D virtual world software called Second Life. Second Life presents new opportunities and challenges for reference librarians to support the information needs of that community.     

Is the Medium the Message? Examining Transactions Conducted via Text in Comparison with Traditional Virtual Reference Methods

Texting is a widespread mode of communication and libraries are experimenting with it to interact with users. This article presents the results of a study on virtual reference service. The authors seek to determine whether or not the texting service is filling a different information need than chat and email by examining the level of difficulty and the topic of questions using these different methods of communication. Findings indicate a marked difference between the type and complexity of questions sent via text and traditional forms of virtual reference, and suggest that texting fills a complimentary role in relation to other traditional virtual reference communication channels used within libraries.     

虚拟机Virtual PC在网络教学中的应用——以《Windows Server2003的管理》为例

通过对虚拟机在实际网络教学中实际应用的分析,结合我国高职院校计算机专业教育中存在的学生实践操作能力偏弱的问题,探索如何更好地使用虚拟机提高学生在网络教学中的实操能力。     

试论虚拟图书馆建设的开放机制--ODP与WWW Virtual Library对我国虚拟图书馆建设的启示

本文结合开放式目录体系ODP与WWW Virtual Library的成功经验,为我国的虚拟图书馆建设从三个层次建立开放机制从而实现共建共享提出了设想,并着重论述了建立虚拟图书馆员的志愿者机制的可行性、实现方式和其他相关问题。     

Virtual Information for Patient Care—VIP Care: An Electronic Collection to Promote Learning Among Third-Year Medical Students

Virtual Information for Patient Care (VIP Care) is an electronic collection of materials assembled to promote learning among Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM) clinical clerks. Materials in the collection are selected on the basis of how well they match the core clerkship learning objectives. Consistent with TUSM curricular emphasis on utilizing evidence from research, VIP Care articles are culled, when possible, from Hirsh Health Sciences Library's electronic Evidence-based Medicine (EBM) resource collection. This article describes the VIP Care collection within the context of the larger Patient Logs project of which it is a part and explains how this collection helps promote learning. It also reports on the process of compiling the collection as well as some of the methods librarians have adopted for publicizing the collection and keeping the content current.     

Balancing Evolving “Real” and “Virtual” Patron Needs: A Challenge for Access Services in Academic Libraries

ABSTRACT

Academic libraries are at a crossroads, facing increasing competition from other student services within their institutions and from commercial entities that duplicate their services. Examining some broader trends in education leads to suggestions as to how libraries might re-examine legacy services and assumptions and consider new directions. Specifically, the contributions that might be made by areas traditionally considered part of access services are considered. An annotated bibliography is included.