Because There Is Confusion There Is the TRU Library Reference Service: Providing Library Research As

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Because There Is ConfusionThere Is the TRU
Library Reference ServiceProviding Library
Research Assistance in an Online World 

• Kathy Gaynor
• Information Services Librarian

Brenda Smith Access Services Librarian
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Traditional image of library reference
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Traditional image of librarians

• Shushing librarian

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Traditional image of libraries

• Information is out-dated and hard to find
• Everything is on the Internet
• Libraries are dying institutions and they arent
  needed in todays online world

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• Libraries are dynamic, constantly evolving
  institutions.
• They are often early adopters and adapters of
  technology.

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Explosion of Online Connection

• Canada
• 1997 29
• 1998 36
• 1999 42
• 2000 51
• 2001 60
• 2002 62
• 2003 64
• 2005 68

• British Columbia
• 1997 33
• 1998 42
• 1999 48
• 2000 56
• 2001 65
• 2002 65
• 2003 71
• 2005 69

Source Canadian Internet use survey, Table
358-0122 and Table 358-0002
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Libraries are connected, too!

• Libraries are helping our users, wherever our
  users are.
• By Fax
• By Email
• By Instant Messaging (chat)
• By Virtual Reference software
• Within article databases
• By Second Life

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Libraries are connected, too!

• Typically libraries names their virtual reference
  services
• Ask a Librarian or Ask a Question.

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Ask a Librarian

• Ask a Librarian service comes in many forms
• Email
• Chat
• Within databases
• Virtual Reference Software

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Chat software

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Chat software

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Virtual Reference

• Takes interaction beyond simple text chatting.
• Page pushing
• Co-browsing

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Virtual Reference

• Page pushing allows the librarian to take a
  snapshot of their computer screen and place it on
  the students screen.
• Co-browsing allows the librarian and the
  student to interact together (live!) on the same
  webpage.

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Virtual Reference

• TRU Library and the TNRD Library both participate
  in a provincial virtual reference service called
  AskAway.

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Virtual Reference

• Post-secondary users are assisted by librarians
  from post-secondary institutions in British
  Columbia.
• All British Columbians are assisted by librarians
  through the public library service.

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Social Software

• Enables people to rendezvous, connect or
  collaborate based on shared common interests,
  hobbies and causes.

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Social Software

• Features include
• Chat
• Forums
• Blogs
• Wikis
• Sharing photos videos
• Games

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Social Software

• Second life
• 3-D, online, digital world where users move about
  and connect in real time.

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Social Software

• Second life
• Users create an avatar, which is a 3-D
  representation of themselves.
• Users create their world.

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Social Software

• Second life library
• Libraries are being built in second life.
• Librarians from public and academic libraries are
  helping people do their research.

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Implementing

• Do what you think you can manage. You dont have
  to do it all.
• Break out of your comfort zone!!
• It is DEMO time!!

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• "In the nonstop tsunami of global information,
  librarians provide us with floaties and teach us
  how to swim."
• - Linton Weeks

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Contact Us

• Kathy Gaynor
• Phone [phone]Email kgaynor_at_tru.ca

• Brenda Smith
• Phone [phone]
• Email brsmith_at_tru.ca

TRU Library Website http//www.tru.ca/library/