The Virtual Reference Handbook: Interview and Information Delivery Techniques for the Chat and E-mail Environment - Softcover

Kovacs, Diane K.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1555705987 ISBN 13: 9781555705985

Publisher: Neal-Schuman Publishers Inc, 2007

Synopsis

IM, e-mail, and chat reference is already here, but have you adapted your traditional reference interview and information provision skills to these new formats? ACRL online trainer and popular Internet workshop leader Diane Kovacs has assembled this handbook to help reference librarians develop the communication skills and resources they need to work effectively in the virtual reference environment. The handbook shows how to adapt traditional face-to-face reference interview skills to the virtual interview-and how to interpret and use new cues (chat slang, IM shorthand, emoticons, etc.) to better serve your users. For both chat and e-mail transactions, Kovacs outlines strategies for analyzing the question, conducting the interview, developing a search strategy, and delivering sources. There is guidance for selecting the best information format for users and delivering content in a timely and valuable manner. This practical guide offers everything reference librarians need to move from the face-to-face to virtual transaction with ease.

About this title

Review

"A practical guide to the technical, communication, and reference skills you need to deliver fluent chat and e-mail reference services."

Synopsis

Adapt traditional reference interview skills to the new digital environment. IM, e-mail, and chat reference is already here, but have you adapted your traditional reference interview and information provision skills to these new formats? ACRL online trainer and popular Internet workshop leader Diane Kovacs has assembled this handbook to help reference librarians develop the communication skills and resources they need to work effectively in the virtual reference environment. The handbook shows how to adapt traditional face-to-face reference interview skills to the virtual interview - and how to interpret and use new cues (chat slang, IM shorthand, emoticons, etc.) to better serve your users. For both chat and e-mail transactions, Kovacs outlines strategies for analyzing the question, conducting the interview, developing a search strategy, and delivering sources. There is guidance for selecting the best information format for users and delivering content in a timely and valuable manner. This practical guide offers everything reference librarians need to move from the face-to-face to virtual transaction with ease.

Edition details

• Publisher: Neal-Schuman Publishers Inc
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1555705987
• ISBN 13: 9781555705985
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 150