Virtual Reference at the UW: Enhancing Library Services Online
Explore the journey of virtual reference services at the University of Washington, serving users anytime, anywhere, overcoming challenges, and receiving accolades for excellence.
Virtual Reference at the UW: Enhancing Library Services Online
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Presentation Transcript
Virtual Reference @ the UW Nancy Huling University of Washington Libraries OLA/WLA Annual Conference 18 April 2008
Outline • Background • Service overview • Challenges • Benefits • Stories!
Facts about the UW • Public research university • 42,974 students • 27,600 faculty and staff • Three campus locations: Seattle (main); Tacoma; Bothell • 17 colleges and schools, including medicine and law
Early virtual reference @ the UW Info email 1992 Ref email 1992 247ref.org chat 2002 Question list Unit email 1988+ Question list Transcripts list Question list
Virtual Reference @ UW Today Webform & chat -- all units
VR Timeline @ the UW • Implemented 24/7ref chat in collaboration with Cornell University in January 2002 • Beta site for QuestionPoint , 2002 • Continued with 24/7 ref chat software until merger with QuestionPoint in mid 2005 • Joined the QuestionPoint 24/7 chat cooperative in September 2005 • Use QuestionPoint to manage all virtual reference transactions
Challenges • Staff buy-in (the “they must come to the library” syndrome) • Naming the service • Online communication environment • Question negotiation: determining the real information need • Resistance to serving “them” • “We know everything”
Benefits • Serving our users anytime, anyplace • Preferred medium for those not in Seattle (studying abroad, online students) • Serves users with physical challenges • Questions can easily be moved from chat to email to subject experts or partner libraries • All virtual questions appear in a single list • Questions received at desks or via phone can be added to system • Many minds enhance quality of response
Favorite Comments Thank you SO MUCH. Chatting to you is like a multiple course asian meal. More good service just keep coming :-) ok Nancy...you are a genius :-) WOW, not only a great service but follow up! I’m impressed – if I can provide the level of service that you do my enterprise will be a real success, thank you. Yes, I would very much appreciate your forwarding my request to Olympia. Thank you again for your hard work and thoroughness.