Timeline For Real-Time Online Reference

	1995
	The Internet Public Library, founded by Joseph Janes at the University of Michigan’s School of Library and Information Studies, used a MOO (an interactive system accessible through telnet) starting in November 1995.
	1996
	In 1996, Bill Drew at SUNY Morrisville started a chat reference service, using Internet Relay Chat (IRC).
	1998
	Temple University libraries initiated a Web-based online chat service, TalkNow, in November 1998, using “homegrown” software. Librarians at the Florida Distance Learning Reference and Referral Center (RRC) experimented with real-time online library instruction using a chat room as a virtual classroom. Due to changes in Florida Distance Learning Library Initiative (DLLI) funding, the RRC closed in December 2001. Collaborative Digital Reference Service (CDRS) pilot project is launched by the Library of Congress.
	1999
	Susan McGlamery at the Metropolitan Cooperative Library System (MCLS) pioneered the 24/7 Reference Project. Library Systems & Services (LSSI) created the Virtual Reference Toolkit, providing software for real-time online reference, as well as a Web Reference Center for after-hours support. The first Virtual Reference Desk (VRD) Conference - "Reference in the New Millennium" was held October 14-15 at Harvard University. The VRD Conference has emerged as the premier conference for digital reference services.
	2000
	CDRS goes live on June 29, 2000. EARL Ask-A-Librarian, a public library consortium in the UK, posed the first question, which was routed to the Santa Monica Public Library. In July 2000, Santa Monica Public Library became the first public library to offer chat reference. In November, OPAL (Online Personal Academic Librarian) started as an eighteen-month research project based at the Open University Library, which is exploring the development of a fully automated online 24/7 reference service for distance students.
	2001
	Libraries in northern California launched QandAcafe in February 2001. In April 2001, the National Information Standards Organization (NISO) held a workshop that invited attendees to explore standards needed for a networked or collaborative digital reference service. The Cleveland Public Library project KnowItNow24x7 opened in June 2001. In Illinois, state LSTA funding supports the Alliance Library System's Ready for Reference, the first around-the-clock collaboration between academic libraries. New Jersey Library Network’s Q and A NJ, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, went live on October 1, becoming the first statewide virtual reference service in the United States.
	2002
	QuestionPoint, a joint effort of OCLC and the Library of Congress, evolved out of the Collaborative Digital Reference Service. QuestionPoint provides both software for real-time online reference and a structure for library collaboration through its Global Reference Network. The Richland County Public Library in Columbia, S.C., the Brisbane City Council Library Service in Queensland, Australia, and the Somerset County Council Libraries, Arts and Information Service in the United Kingdom collaborate to provide the first 24-hour global reference service. LSSI collaborates with the School of Library and Information Science at San Jose State University to educate students in virtual reference. In June 2002, the 24/7 Reference service launched a Spanish language version of its Ask the Librarian service. The new service, called Bibliotecario a su alcance (a librarian at your fingertips) provides access to bilingual librarians. Gaylord Information Systems and LSSI partner to build the "Smart" library catalog, integrating the functions of the library's public access catalog with live reference service.
	2003
	In March 2003 Dynix announced that it will make LSSI’s Virtual Reference ToolKit available to its customer libraries, helping them to offer their patrons 24-hour online reference service. Stephen Francoeur, the Teaching Librarian, sets up a new blog entitled Digital Reference - "Exploring the intersection of reference services, technology, and instruction.” In October 2003 the Information Institute of Syracuse received an IMLS grant to create a Digital Reference Clinical Teaching Initiative. Tutor.com acquires LSSI Reference Division, "a move that will make it easier for libraries to provide patrons with high quality educational and reference information services."

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