• Getting Acquainted Activity (Walking Billboards)

• A PowerPoint overview of the “Anytime, Anywhere Answers” training curriculum, the methods of delivery, and expectations for learners and trainers. (Download free viewer if you do not have PowerPoint on your computer.)

• Discussion of Core Competencies for Virtual Reference.  A pre-training assessment of your confidence in your ability to demonstrate these competencies.  (A version of this skills assessment will also be used three months after training to determine the effectiveness of the training.)

• Virtual Reference: A Work in Progress, a look at the history, current status, and future of virtual reference services in libraries.  (Also in a PowerPoint format)

• Taking the First Steps to Training.  For the activities, online meetings, and discussions that are key to this training, you’ll be subscribing to some listservs, setting up an “identity-neutral” e-mail account, and using Instant Messaging and chat.

• Tips for Success with online learning.  Discussion of the kinds of support you’ll need from the trainers and from other learners. Hardware and software requirements for the training.

• Practice exercise: Answering Questions Using Chat.

• A look at the 24/7 Reference software and some practice using its online meeting functions.  Norms for Online Meetings. Click on the 24/7 REF LOGON button and use the Meeting Key provided by the trainers. For best results, change your screen resolution to approximately 1025 X 750.

• Self-assessment of your Windows multi-tasking skills. Need some tips for better multi-tasking and control of your desktop? Check out the Keys to Organizing Your Virtual Reference Desk.

• Internet reference skills checklist. These skills will be increasingly important in virtual reference services. This checklist is used at Seattle Public Library as a self-assessment tool for staff. It can help you identify the areas where you may need to upgrade your skills. Joe Barker at UC Berkeley provides a tutorial on Web searching skllls which is updated regularly.

• Online training pages provide a complete list of readings, activities and assignments for each week of class. They are regularly updated to include new and/or changing information.

Assignments

1. Read the article above that is marked "Required."

2. Send a test message to the VRS Training listserv. (Directions can be found in Taking the First Steps to Training.)

3. Review the Keys to Organizing Your Virtual Reference Desk for some Windows multi-tasking tricks, keyboard shortcuts, and browser tips that will make your virtual reference work more efficient. Choose the skills that you will use most frequently and practice them.