[collaborative-vr] a question

[Tamara Ottum]

Hello Sheryl,

Great questions!

I actually just coordinated a session at our state’s library association conference where we asked participants to ‘wish for the moon’ -  “If there were no restrictions or limitations, how would you set up a statewide virtual reference service?”

While most responses focused on the collaborative aspect of the service, here are a few regarding the technology that may be of interest to you:

·       Video chat and/or audio ability

·       Secured shared screens

·       Shared whiteboard space

·       Free app for patrons to login and use

Also, one person suggested: “Patrons would be able to have any questions answered, just as they would walking into a public library.” To me this is a really important point; I see a significant amount of questions coming in that are not traditional “reference” (they are circulation, tech help, etc.). I think our online service needs to emulate our in-person service, and in order to do that we need to involve staff in other departments.

Hope this helps. I’m interested to hear others’ thoughts and suggestions!

-Tamara

Tamara Ottum, MLIS
Answerland Coordinator
State Library of Oregon | Library Support & Development Services
tamara.ottum at state.or.us<mailto:tamara.ottum at state.or.us> | 503-378-6506<tel:%20(503)%20378-6506> | www.oregon.gov/osl<http://www.oregon.gov/osl>

From: collaborative-vr [mailto:collaborative-vr-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of Sheryl Knab
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2018 11:03 AM
To: collaborative-vr at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
Cc: Caitlin Kenney <ckenney at wnylrc.org>
Subject: Re: [collaborative-vr] a question

Hi All,

While Caitlin Kenney waits approval to join this list, WNYLRC is doing research for a local presentation on what the future of virtual reference is and where is it going within the next 3 years.  We would like to pose the same topic to this list and hopefully many of you can chime.   What do you think the future of virtual reference  and/or what the reality is for institutions to support it.  Also, in an ideal world, where funding is abundant and staffing is available, what does virtual reference look like in three years?

Thanks for your help!

Sheryl Knab
Executive Director
Western New York Library Resources Council (WNYLRC)
Airport Commerce Park East
4950 Genesee Street
Suite 170
Cheektowaga, NY 14225
sknab at wnylrc.org<mailto:sknab at wnylrc.org>
716-633-0705
Direct line: 716-929-6307
www.wnylrc.org<http://www.wnylrc.org>

Chair, Empire State Library Network

WNYLRC is a member of Empire State Library Network
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