Technological tools for library user education: one library's experience

In today's world, library users are confronted with almost too many options for using information because of the ubiquitousness of technology. Yet, libraries can harness the power of the same technologies to help users find the information they need at the time it is needed. The tools described in this article represent a starting point for librarians looking for technologies that are easy to use, inexpensive, and have a reasonable learning curve. Technologies addressed include classroom technologies such as audience response systems and Web-based technologies, including Web tutorials and screencasting. These technologies enhance and offer flexibility and variety in many educational settings.     

Effective training for chat reference personnel: An exploratory study

By surveying reference practitioners on their perceptions of chat reference training, this study presents effective training techniques that could enhance the professional preparation for chat reference personnel. Results indicate that the most effective training techniques involve hands-on practice among trainees and easy access to supporting materials. Librarians with different experiences and comfort levels with chat, who work in different chat reference service modes, and provide evaluation from different perspectives, have significantly different views on the effectiveness of certain training techniques.     

Imperatives for regular collection inventories: A New Zealand university library's experience

This paper describes three imperatives for collection inventory work at the University of Canterbury (UC) Library. Learning experiences from UC Library's first full inventory in 2005 were used to develop a regular and sustainable method of conducting future inventories. The first need for inventory arose as a result of an organized crime ring that targeted valuable books in libraries throughout New Zealand. Findings from library customer surveys in 2003 and 2005 gave rise to a second imperative which was to take prompt, proactive action regarding items missing from the shelves. As UC Library begins moving items to offsite storage, a third imperative arose for correctly accounting for what UC Library actually holds. As pressure comes on staffing resources this additional and significant collection management task has had to be achieved without extra staff. Good communication, clarity of responsibilities and breaking down the work into manageable amounts all became vital to the overall success of managing inventory work.     

网络聊天室在参考咨询服务中的应用研究

本文阐述了网络聊天室参考咨询服务及其工作模式,考察了国内外该项服务的发展状况及实际运行了网络聊天参考咨询的几个图书馆或相关机构,总结出网络聊天参考咨询的特点和运用应注意的问题.     

The library of congress surplus book program-a single library's experience

The Library of Congress Surplus Book Program, whereby public and educational institution libraries may obtain free books and serials, is described. After analyzing the intensive use of this program by the University of Texas at Dallas Library during a three-year period from 1984 to 1987, the author concludes the program may not be useful to every library, but that all collection development and acquisitions librarians should be aware of this source.     

The use of Ovid local holdings messages: one library's experience

The Ovid local holdings feature can be very beneficial to library patrons. This article describes the use of the feature for one academic health sciences library. Topics covered include how the function works, how it was implemented, how it is updated, the impact of electronic journals, and benefits and drawbacks of use. Also included are suggested enhancements to the system.     

Toward sustaining professional development: Identifying essential competencies for chat reference service

This study identifies the essential chat reference competencies to enhance the professional preparation of reference personnel. A survey was conducted to examine practitioners' perceptions of chat reference competencies reported in the literature. A prioritized competency list was produced based on the survey results. The investigated competencies could be divided into four categories: media-independent core reference competencies, reference competencies highlighted in the context of chat reference, reference competencies specific to chat reference, and reference competencies not as important in chat reference. Competencies in the first three categories received ratings higher than 5.5 (out of 7) and can be defined as the essential competencies requisite for chat reference practice. Findings from this study can be used as the basis to design and implement training and education programs to enhance the professional preparation of chat reference librarians.     

Achieving community borrower compliance with an urban university library's circulation policies: One university's solution

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas Library has taken steps to provide the community with access to its collections while safeguarding its resources. It requires external borrowers to register a major credit card and agree to have the Library charge replacement costs and fees to their accounts.     

AskNow!——澳大利亚国家级合作实时咨询服务项目的启动与发展

AskNow!是澳大利亚州立图书馆委员会于2002年8月启动的一个国家级合作实时咨询服务试验项目,目的是检测多个图书馆利用网络技术开展合作实时咨询的可能性,历经20个月的试验评估,AskNow!于2004年3月被确立为长期性服务项目.本文介绍了AskNow!试验计划的启动情况,并对AskNow!系统为寻求发展而采取的努力进行了概述.     

实时参考咨询的现状及发展问题探讨

实时参考咨询的过程模式体现了实时参考咨询实时交互的特点,而这一特点正是实时参考咨询备受图书馆和用户关注的原因。在实时参考咨询迅猛开展的同时,也存在着成本收益不平衡、时间配置不合理,人员态度、技术水平不完善等问题,导致了部分实时参考咨询服务项目无法开展。文章在分析问题的同时,为实时参考咨询未来发展提出建议,以推动实时参考咨询向合作化、复合化方向发展。     

A multiple-case study investigation of the discontinuation of nine chat reference services

Using the multiple-case study method, this research investigates reasons why nine virtual reference (chat) services have been discontinued. The investigation of these five academic, one public, and three consortial chat services was conducted through structured e-mail and telephone interviews with the library decision makers and analysis of available reports and documents. The major reason for discontinuation was funding problems, followed by low volume (including low volume by target audience). Other reasons were staffing problems, technical problems, and institutional culture issues. Staffing issues included the need for comfortable staffing patterns, maintenance of sufficient volume to maintain proficiency, and cultivation of positive attitudes. Technical problems centered on software malfunctions and connectivity difficulties. Within two of the consortia, different patterns of funding, staffing, and mission posed difficulties for blended cultures that caused the consortia to break up. Despite all these issues, the possibility of restarting chat services, perhaps in consortia or with simpler chat software, exists for all services, with two services desiring to restart when funds and reorganization permit.     

A multiple-case study investigation of the discontinuation of nine chat reference services

Using the multiple-case study method, this research investigates reasons why nine virtual reference (chat) services have been discontinued. The investigation of these five academic, one public, and three consortial chat services was conducted through structured e-mail and telephone interviews with the library decision makers and analysis of available reports and documents. The major reason for discontinuation was funding problems, followed by low volume (including low volume by target audience). Other reasons were staffing problems, technical problems, and institutional culture issues. Staffing issues included the need for comfortable staffing patterns, maintenance of sufficient volume to maintain proficiency, and cultivation of positive attitudes. Technical problems centered on software malfunctions and connectivity difficulties. Within two of the consortia, different patterns of funding, staffing, and mission posed difficulties for blended cultures that caused the consortia to break up. Despite all these issues, the possibility of restarting chat services, perhaps in consortia or with simpler chat software, exists for all services, with two services desiring to restart when funds and reorganization permit.     

免费聊天工具在图书馆实时虚拟参考咨询中的应用探讨

图书馆可以利用免费聊天工具为用户提供实时虚拟参考咨询服务。在文中，笔者以QQ为例对免费聊天工具在图书馆实时虚拟参考咨询服务中的应用进行了探讨，并针对其非专业性提出了一些弥补性的对策和应用的原则。     

One small community hospital library's successful outsourcing of document delivery: an ongoing study

When DOCLINE was implemented in 1985, community hospital librarians were beginning to feel the economic pressures of the changing health care arena. However, staff and resources were often sufficient or plentiful. Now, fifteen years after the creation of DOCLINE, many existing small hospitals either no longer have a librarian, an assistant is managing the library, the librarian is managing one or more libraries of an integrated system, or the number of librarians has been reduced. A system that is heavily staff dependent is no longer feasible. In addition, as the role of the community hospital librarian evolves into one of instructor and patient education liaison, a system that does not permit the librarian to expand such services will be detrimental to the entire library program. Following is a discussion of one small community hospital's decision to outsource document delivery services as a result of staffing changes and the expansion of additional library programs.     

美国高校图书馆实时参考服务试验项目研究

文章从人员配置、宣传推广、软件选择、咨询问题类型、服务评估等方面对8个美国高校图书馆的实时参考咨询试验项目进行了研究分析与经验总结。     

Real-time reference: the use of chat technology to improve point of need assistance

Chat reference refers to the use of instant messaging and call center software to support interactive text or voice communication with library patrons. Instant messaging has been integrated into many e-commerce environments, and into the social lives of many teenagers and young adults, affording a level of immediacy and intimacy not possible with e-mail applications. The convergence and interoperability of new and emerging technologies can be used to develop new communities of users that view libraries as being essential to their education, patient care, and research activities.