News
Virtual Reference Update 23-08-10
At the March meeting, NSLA agreed to continue to collaborate on reference services into the future, including focus upon the establishment of a common infrastructure, the development of guidelines for online study guides and the development of principles to underpin NSLA reference services.
The Project Group submitted a number of papers to NSLA at the July meeting in Brisbane, in response. These papers included:
- Project Brief for Virtual Reference Project Stage 2 : The second stage of the project encompasses the identification of a framework for information and research services for NSLA libraries.
- A Statement of Principles for Information and Research Services in NSLA Libraries. This statement will be available online soon.
- Service guidelines for Information and Research Services in NSLA Libraries. These guidelines will be available online soon.
- Creation guidelines for Research Guides.
The Project Group has also established an agreed annual quantitative survey of on-site enquiries, and an agreed questionnaire for attachment to research enquiry responses. These two forms of surveys will provide ground-breaking primary data for future benchmarking and analysis in NSLA Libraries.
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Virtual Reference Update 18-12-09
Progress
NSLA members have expressed clear commitment to working towards the new Business Model of Virtual Reference, as 'all libraries acting as One Library'. Ongoing work in the project is leading to:
- Broad Reference Policy with standards for reference services - to be submitted to NSLA in March for endorsement
- Draft business model for future NSLA Virtual Reference Services - to be submitted to NSLA in March for endorsement
Next meeting
Mid January 2010
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Virtual Reference Update 19-10-09
Progress
The Project Manager reported on the status of the project at the NSLA meeting in Adelaide on 14 September, presenting a draft tiered reference service model incorporating public libraries, State and National libraries. In representing the relationships between user self-help and "ask" (staff-mediated) options, the model generated discussion about the ‘One Library’ concept - this willl be further explored and defined at the November meeting of NSLA.
Further progress on Phase 2 Work packages has been made as follows:
Virtual Reference Update 13-07-09
Progress
The Project Group met in Melbourne on June 15-16, for a two-day workshop to discuss the key findings from the Investigation Workpackages, to identify the boundaries for active collaboration by NSLA Libraries. The Project Group then concentrated on clarifying and agreeing distinct collaborative areas, identifying the work required to achieve the results, and allocating responsibility for leadership where possible. Areas for collaboration were identified as:
- Policies and Standards
- Performance Measures - Quantitative and Qualitative
- Professional Development Structures
- Reference Channels
- Shared enquiry management system
- Unmediated services - including targeting distinct common user groups, such as genealogists.
The Project Group also identified that further work is required to develop new models for asynchronous and synchronous reference service delivery (including assessment of the current AskNow Chat Service).
Next Meeting
The Next Meeting is: August 6, 2009 at 2pm AEST
Virtual Reference Update 20-05-09
Progress
Minor revisions to Project Brief endorsed by NSLA.
Collaboration on work packages underway, investigating:
- Definition of Reference Service in today's environment
- Definition and context of reference service in a State or National Library, with identification of commonalities and differences
- Understanding current practice, including channels of delivery and trends in usage
- Understanding current practice and possible futures
- Understanding users
- Understanding skills and staff competencies for reference service
- Understanding the Return On Investment.
Schedule
Face-to-face meeting of Project Group scheduled for June 15-16 at State Library of Victoria to:
- discuss findings from investigation work packages
- reach consensus on the messages from the findings
- commence work on developing agreed strategy
Virtual Reference Update 18-03-09
Progress:
Investigation Plan developed with work packages focusing on:
- Definition of reference service
- Context (State legislation, Corporate Plans, Reference policies)
- Understanding current practice
- Current practice & possible futures
- Understanding users
- Understanding Skills & competencies of staff
The work packages will be developed and analysed collaboratively within the Project Group.
Next meeting:
Teleconference - April 2, 2009
Virtual Reference Update 11-02-09
Progress
- Wiki established for group: https://nslavirtualreference.pbwiki.com
Virtual Reference Update 14-01-09
Progress:
- Project brief drafted and direction endorsed by NSLA
- Audit of Enquiries undertaken
- Bibliography of key readings and key project questions under development
- Wiki for communication in development
Schedule:
- Bibliography and project questions to set investigation areas
- Investigation to commence, with participation of non-lead libraries
Next meeting:
- Teleconference - February 2009 [to be confirmed]