****apologies for cross-posting****
The Ask A Librarian public librarians invite their colleagues to help them test a new national collaborative chat reference service, Ask A Librarian Live! http://www.ask-a-librarian.org.uk/Patron (there was the wicked temptation to call it Ask A Live Librarian….)
Ask A Librarian (http://www.ask-a-librarian.org.uk), perhaps the longest running collaboration of libraries delivering a national digital reference service, and LSSI (http://www.lssi.com), a major supplier of chat reference software, are partnering a trial of LSSI Virtual Reference Toolkit. Many libraries, including collaborative services in the US, Canada and Australia, as well as the Somerset County Council Libraries, are using this software to deliver 24/7 virtual reference, as well as for remote training, distance learning, and multi-site virtual meetings. The many applications for such software represent an excellent opportunity for raising the profile of public librarians and libraries locally and nationally: e-government, social inclusion, and community outreach services development are just some of the exciting possibilities.
The pilot, which began in February 2003 with on-site and remote training, configuration and customization, will continue until 31 May 2003. Please take the opportunity to drop by and help us test the software as well as our real-time online reference skills (or even just for a chat with your fellow librarians about the service—just don’t let them go without asking a challenging question!). In addition, we would appreciate your completing the brief questionnaire (I know!) at the end of the session to give us some feedback on the potential for delivering this service nationally. Results of this pilot will be shared with Resource and all Ask participants at an Ask A Librarian Plenary to be held in June.
Finally, I hope you don’t mind my taking the opportunity to thank all the libraries brave enough to participate, LSSI, and especially Maria Nicholas and her staff at New College, Birmingham for hosting our on-site training (they are also participating in a service with a Canadian Library).
Thanks,
Linda
Linda Berube
CoEast Regional Manager
Co-East http://www.co-east.net
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