Hi
I'm currently working on an Open University Library research project to
develop an electronic reference desk (OPAL), and as there have been several
lis-link postings concerning this topic, I thought people might find the
following digital reference links to be of use.
1) Marilyn Domas White (1999) "Analyzing Electronic Question/ Answer
Services: Framework and Evaluations of Selected Services" at
http://www.clis.umd.edu/research/reports/99/TR9902.PDF - This article
considers digital reference services in terms of standards and usability.
2) The Teaching Librarian: Digital Reference -
http://pages.prodigy.net/tabo1/digref.htm - This web site is maintained by
Stephen Francoeur (Information Services Division, Baruch College), and lists
and describes all the different forms of digital reference. The site lists
any special software used, and describes the different approaches to online
reference from the most simple forms such as the use of web forms to submit
queries to the library, to the most expensive and complex - such as the use
of chat and web contact software.
3) There is a also a selection of webcasts from the "Symposium on Digital
Reference: Building the Virtual Reference Desk in a 24/7 World" which can be
found at http://www.loc.gov/rr/digiref/webcasts/. - This symposium looked at
delivering a 24/7 service via a library consortium and web contact software,
and particularly focused on the Los Angeles 24/7 Reference Project
http://www.247ref.org/index.html. Symposium speakers also discussed the
Library of Congress Collaborative Digital Reference Project (CDRS).
Links to digital reference related sites can also be found on the OPAL
(Online Personal Academic Librarian) Project web site at
http://oulib1.open.ac.uk/wh/research/opal/.
Thanks
Georgina
Georgina Payne
Research Assistant
OPAL Project
Open University Library
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA
United Kingdom
Tel: (01908) 659277
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
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