Reference Services

1
Reference Services

• E-Reference made EZ

2
Introduction

• Several electronic reference services
• Email, real time, subject guides complement and
  enhance
• Find the right software, offer enough direction
  to patrons

3
Staffing

• Train enough staff
• Offer practice opportunities
• Utilize additional staff for busy times

4
Equipment

• Adequate monitor
• Sufficient memory
• Location reference desk? The big question, are
  we going to hide our growing virtual services
  from the public, or do we learn to promote and
  explain the range of reference work we do?

5
Software

• Necessary accessory downloads
• Choosing real time software for staff available

6
Assessment

• Surveys
• Repeat patrons

7
Trends

• Growing numbers of libraries are using live
  reference
• Most librarians report times insufficient staff
  for separate locations
• Have complementary backups in place

8
Testimonies from Live reference librarians at

• http//library.csun.edu/mhenry/il2001testimonies.h
  tml