Establishing an EReference Service for PALCI Libraries

1
Establishing an E-Reference Service for PALCI
Libraries

• PALCI Spring Meeting
• June 2, 2005
• Marianne Gaunt, Chair
• PALCI E-Reference Task Force

2
PALCI E-Reference Overview

• PALCI Strategic Planning indicates member
  interest in e-reference
• PALCI Board establishes Task Force following
  discussions at Fall 2004 members meeting
• Task Force plans member survey
• Commonwealth Libraries plans similar state-wide
  survey
• Task Force defers to Commonwealth survey and
  plans to assess results

3
PALCI E-Reference Task Force

• Judith Arnold - Marshall University
• Marianne Gaunt - Rutgers
• Janet Hurlbert - Lycoming
• Erika Linke - Carnegie Mellon
• Charles Kratz -University of Scranton
• Howard McGinn - Seton Hall
• Phil Tramdack - Slippery Rock
• Elizabeth Urling - Commonwealth Universities

4
Overview of Academic Responses to Commonwealth
Survey

• Total Respondents 443
• Total Academic Libraries 78 (18)
  Administrators 37 (48)
• Reference Librarians 25 (32.5)
• Other 15 (19.5)

5
Current E-Reference Penetration

• Offering E-mail Reference 69 (88)
• Offering Online E-Reference 34 (44)

6
Interest in E-Reference Service

• Very interested 29
• Somewhat interested 53
• Not at all interested 16
• 
  

7
Would Users Use E-Reference?

• Yes, would use 60
• No, would not use 14.5
• Dont know 27

8
Would Contribute to PA Collaborative Service

• Contribute Staff Time 36
• Promote/Market Service 60
• Link on Home Page 81

9
Software Currently Used

• Docutek 9
• AOL IM 4
• Questionpoint 4
• Tutor.com 3
• Convey 2

• Instantservice 1
• Trillian 1
• Activewords 1
• 24/7 OCLC 1
• Homegrown 1

10
Current Collaborations

• AJCU Shared Virtual 24/7 Project
• KLN Online Reference
• PASSHE Virtual Information Desk

11
Survey Comments

• Current service little used
• Staffing impact
• Concern about multi-type service
  (academic/public/special)
• Primary need for distance education support

12
Follow-Up Process for Commonwealth Libraries

• 81 libraries would consider contributing some
  resources to a collaboration
• Establish a review committee (4 meetings already
  held)
• Model a service incorporated into state-wide
  collaborative services
• Consider budget, workability, staffing/administra
  tion, funding

13
Potential Funding Sources

• LSTA funding
• Access Pennsylvania
• Separate Funding from Legislature

14
PALCI Board Recommendation

• Do not establish a PALCI E-Reference
  Collaborative Service at this time
• Assess the Final Recommendation of the
  Commonwealth Libraries for Potential
  Participation