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Playing Well With Others

Playing Well With Others. Collaborative Virtual Reference Services. Nancy Huling University of Washington Libraries Law Librarians of Puget Sound Workshop 29 April 2009. ~ OR ~ Move the Question, not the Person. Outline. Definition Why virtual reference? Virtual reference @ the UW

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Playing Well With Others

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  1. Playing Well With Others Collaborative Virtual Reference Services Nancy Huling University of Washington Libraries Law Librarians of Puget Sound Workshop 29 April 2009

  2. ~ OR ~Move the Question, not the Person

  3. Outline • Definition • Why virtual reference? • Virtual reference @ the UW • Staff attributes • Advantages/Benefits • Challenges/Pitfalls • Overview of QuestionPoint • Best Practices Activity

  4. Definition • Use of digital technologies by both user and library staff to interact on and respond to an information inquiry • Includes email, web forms, instant messaging (IM), and “chat” • Digital and Virtual used interchangeably

  5. Why offer this service? • Our users are online --Pew Internet Reports --Assessment studies (Libraries & UW Tech) • Our resources and services are online • Provides options for users --anytime, anywhere service --unable to come on campus --Library anxiety! --Convenience (even when on campus) --Facilitates communication

  6. Facts about the UW • Public research university • 42,974 students • 27,600 faculty and staff • Three campus locations: Seattle (main); Tacoma; Bothell (library shared by Cascadia CC) • 17 colleges and schools, including medicine and law

  7. 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

  8. Virtual Reference @ UW Today OCLC QuestionPoint Software Webform & chat -- all units

  9. VR Timeline @ the UW • Email services offered since the late 1980s • Implemented 24/7ref chat in collaboration with Cornell University in January 2002 • Beta site for OCLC’s 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 • Participate in the Washington State Academic Cooperative

  10. Staff Attributes • Passion for providing reference & information services • Skills & abilities • Good instincts • Knowledge • Commitment to learning & growth • Enthusiasm • Team player/Trust • Ability to multitask

  11. Advantages/Benefits • Serves users anytime, anyplace • Preferred medium for those not in region (studying abroad, online students) • Serves users with physical or language 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: the power of us • Economical: we share resources through collaboration

  12. And more . . . • Reference transaction documentation • Encourages collaboration • Encourages sharing of knowledge & expertise • Challenging questions • Learn from colleagues • Develops creativity • Hones communication skills • Great starting point for students

  13. Challenges/Pitfalls • Staff buy-in (the “they must come to the library” syndrome) • Resistance to collaboration • Only we can answer questions for our users • Online communication environment • Question negotiation: determining the real information need • Learning how to manage user expectations • FEAR of failure & out of comfort zone

  14. : A Quick Tour

  15. Move the question: How? Links to virtual assistance • Use QuestionPoint to manage all questions • All Libraries webpages link to the same chat or email form • Questions are answered, assigned, or referred as appropriate • Staff are trained on followup options

  16. Web email form

  17. Qwidget Chat Box (pops up)

  18. Referred to Spokane County

  19. Referred to UW Special Coll.

  20. What happens when . . . • You move virtual help links front & center on your web page • You place persistent links on every secondary web page • You add Qwidget – a simple Meebo-style IM box • Your users are offered multiple options for assistance • You respond to questions 24/7 • You seamlessly move the question, not the person ?

  21. Chat traffic

  22. 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 :-) OMG thank you. YOU must be a total smarty. This is a lot of brain working and investigating 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.

  23. Best Practices • What constitutes best practices in virtual reference?

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