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What
are the trends in real-time online reference? Let’s look into
the not-so-distant future.
- To
provide round-the-clock service, libraries will increasingly rely
on consortia
arrangements.
- In
addition to QuestionPoint,
more chat reference software will include reference management
systems, routing questions to experts, and creating searchable
knowledge bases.
- More
bibliographic systems will be integrated with virtual reference,
like the Dynix
partnership with LSSI.
- As
start-up grants end, chat reference must be funded with existing
library reference budgets.
- Libraries
providing virtual reference will struggle to balance the ability
to track patron information with privacy
rights.
- Devices
that retrieve, store and send information will converge, with
more emphasis on wireless and multimedia technologies.
- Commercial
information services such as OnStar
will expand their range of offerings. Will they interface with
library virtual reference services?
- NISO
standards for virtual reference will facilitate services that
can operate across institutional and geographic boundaries.
- More
chat reference services will be offered in languages other than
English. LSSI provides Referencia
en Español and QuestionPoint
provides interfaces in Spanish, French, Chinese, Dutch and Korean.
Here
are some resources to keep your knowledge of chat reference current:
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