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In the beginning . . .

In the beginning. Virtual Reference in Washington State Nancy Huling University of Washington Libraries Oregon/Washington Library Associations Annual Conference 18 April 2008. First Steps. In 2001, Jan Walsh called together interested librarians to discuss virtual reference in the state

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In the beginning . . .

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  1. In the beginning . . . Virtual Reference in Washington State Nancy Huling University of Washington Libraries Oregon/Washington Library Associations Annual Conference 18 April 2008

  2. First Steps • In 2001, Jan Walsh called together interested librarians to discuss virtual reference in the state • Gauged interest in pursuing statewide virtual reference collaboration • Decided to allocate LSTA funds to virtual reference project • Buff Hirko hired as coordinator early in 2001 • First WA Virtual Reference Steering Committee meeting held on 6/28/2001

  3. WAVRS Project Goals • to provide all Washingtonians access to a range of electronic reference services to address their informational and educational needs • to provide Washington libraries significant cost savings by cooperating together for Virtual Reference Service (VRS) development and testing of best practices • to focus on developing best practices, methods, and standards for virtual reference using LSTA funds

  4. Overarching Goal to foster collaboration among Washington libraries in order to enhance the delivery of information services to Washingtonians.

  5. Next Steps • Inventory of WA libraries indicated readiness and need for VR • Steering Committee identified priorities for grants, established criteria, and issued a call • Grants sub-committee handled the application process • Eight $30,000 grants available the first year • Application favored cooperative projects

  6. Grants - 2002 • Marketing Guidelines: UW & KCLS • Chat service: WSU-V & Clark College • Chat service: SFCC, SCC, Pend Oreille, Stevens,Whitman • Chat service: Skagit Valley & Grays Harbor CCs • Shared email: SPL, KCLL, UW Health • Reference delivery for distance courses: Tacoma & Highline CCs • Marketing plan & materials: Whitman, Pend Oreille, Stevens Counties

  7. Grants 2003 • Shared email: WSLL & UW Hort Library joined SPL, KCLL, UW Health • Shared chat: five high school libraries joined Skagit & Grays Harbor CCs • Shared chat: Neill Public, Asotin, North Central joined the SFCC, et.al. service • Cooperative marketing: Whitman, Neill Public, Asotin • Service to distance students: WSU • Shared email: North Olympic, Jefferson, Port Townsend, Peninsula CC

  8. Other WAVRS Activities • Training • Assessment • LII Index for Washington State (WaLII) • Beta tested QuestionPoint (March 2002)

  9. Products • Anytime, Anywhere Answers curriculum -- Virtual Reference Adventure • Going Virtual Workshop • Virtual Reference 101 Workshop • Virtual Reference Services: Marketing Guidelines • VET: Virtual Evaluation Toolkit

  10. Washington VR Summit • Held at SPL on 9 February 2005 • Develop proposals for replacing LSTA funded project with mechanisms to continue coordination and growth • Joe Janes provided framework • Susan McGlamery discussed collaboration • Sources of funding not identified • Establishment of Advisory Council recommended • Nurture a “culture of collaboration”

  11. Current situation • 19 active cooperative members • Washington State Library funds three QuestionPoint accounts: Public, Academic, State Library • Several libraries participate in the cooperative, but have their own full subscriptions • WSL subsidizes membership in QuestionPoint 24/7 cooperative • Advisory Council established to oversee the cooperative and promote growth • Would like additional Washington State Libraries to join!! – it’s a deal!

  12. More information . . . Complete information on the Washington State Virtual Reference project: Hirko, Buff. “Building networks, building trust : Statewide virtual reference.” Advances in Librarianship 29 (2005): 59-186.

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