1. Digital Reference IS 530 Fall 2005 Dr. D. Bilal

2. Digital Reference Digital reference can take may forms  Live chat using specific software âLSSI, NetAgent, ChatSpace, ConferenceRoom, OnDemand, LivePerson, LiveAssistance, QuestionPoint, 24/7.

3. Digital Software: Privacy Go to http://www.library.cmu.edu/People/neuhaus /software.html for a spreadsheet on privacy features of various software for digital reference http://www.library.cmu.edu/People/neuhaus /software.html

4. Resources The Virtual Digital Reference  http://www.vrd.org http://www.vrd.org DIG_REF  A listserv for digital reference. To subscribe: Send an e-mail message to: LISTSERV@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU In the first line of the message, type: SUBSCRIBE DIG_REF Firstname Lastname

5. Resources VRD Center for Kids  Kids can ask reference questions of information professionals, if registered. http://vrd.askvrd.org/index.asp?rid=2863&cat=1475 Ask A+Locator (for submitting reference questions to experts. For adult users) http://www.vrd.org/locator/subject.shtml

6. Additional Information For additional readings:  OCLC website –http://www.oclc.org/community/topics/virtualreference/ba sics/default.htm (standards, trends, basic information)http://www.oclc.org/community/topics/virtualreference/ba sics/default.htm  Bernie Sloane’s bibliogrpahy –http://people.lis.uiuc.edu/~b-sloan/digiref.html

7. Discussion What is the crucial difference in providing traditional mediation vs. virtual mediation?  What do we gain?  What do we lose?