Reference Questions by Email

[C. W. Tazewell]

Hey,
     I was referring to Joseph Janes' Internet Public Library.  At the 
Reference Desk of the Hampton Roads Central Library there is a link to 
the Michigan IPL.  I hadn't checked it out by asking a question.  I had 
it there for use by anyone who wanted to try it.
     The points you make in your message are very good.  But, we have to 
begin somewhere, and the idea is very good.
     The posted hours of the HRCL are shown at the Front Entrance - near 
the bootom - you may like to check them.
     Sorry about the confusion.  I'll buy you a beer at the Snack Bar of 
the HRCL.
     CUL,
             Bill

                   The Hampton Roads Central Library
               (You don't drive to it; you point to it.)
                  Your *REASON* to have the Internet
Virtual Library of Hampton Roads           E A S Y  L I N K S
Front Entrance                              Your WWW Hotlist
http://wwwp.exis.net/~cwt/    http://www.infi.net/~cwt/easylink.html

 ------------------------------------------------------------------

On Sun, 21 Jan 1996, The Big Glee Bopper wrote:

> On Sat, 20 Jan 1996, C. W. Tazewell wrote:
> 
> >      The Internet Public Library has a Reference Desk that takes email 
> > questions.  Select "Reference Desk" on the Tidewater Virginia Public 
> > Libraries Home Page.
> 
> Thanks for the info Bill. What is the turn around time on your reference 
> desk and when are the posted hours so I can get service which matches 
> what I get on Kirkwood in Bloomington in Southern Indiana.
> 
> I once asked Joseph at the Michigan IPL "how to cook asparagus?" and
> after a week he sent me mail back asking if I still needed the info. I
> said 'no'. I knew this was a very tough question and I already knew that
> at the _real_ reference desk the answer pops up in minutes. I was using
> this as an example for a talk I did at National Online last spring about
> agents, artificial intelligence, online reference and what libraries
> really do. I don't think a 24 hour turn around is acceptable. Maybe 1/2
> hour. 2 years ago I went down to CNN on a whim to see how they work. CNN
> has been doing online reference for years. Their turn around is probably
> 10 minutes at the outside. When you are going to _air time_ and seconds
> costs thousands of dollars ... 
> 
> This is why we are going to put a person _on line_ in the literal sense 
> with posted hours et al. Just to see what happens and what it might mean.
> 
> Will keep you posted.
> 
> It is 2:26 pm eastern standard time in the US. The questions is: How do 
> you cook asparagus? Tick, tock, ...
> 
> --Thom
>