ALA Mtg: Ref Srvc Digital Age: LC Next Steps

[digiref at loc.gov]

		REFERENCE SERVICE IN A DIGITAL AGE: LC NEXT STEPS

                Open Discussion Session Sponsored by 
		
		The Library of Congress
                
		ALA Midwinter Meeting
                Philadelphia, PA
		Sunday January 31, 1999
                5:30pm - 7:00pm
                Pennsylvania Convention Center
                Room 201A


The Library of Congress will host an open discussion session, on reference
service in a digital age, as a follow-up to its June 1998 institute
(http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/digiref/).

The session will be hosted by Diane Kresh, Director, Public Service
Collections, Library of Congress.                          


In response to the recommendations and ideas discussed at the summer
institute, the Library of Congress is seeking further input from concerned
reference and public service librarians about three projects LC is
considering.  The session in Philadelphia is designed as an open forum to
allow us all to discuss the following questions:

* can such projects benefit your own library and services?

* what role can your library take in pursuing such projects?

* what role do you envision the Library of Congress taking?



The three projects are:


1. Develop and manage a web site to serve as a clearinghouse for
presenting information about library and other projects and efforts
related to digital reference.  Rather than being a collection of links to
reference and library resources or a set of links about digital libraries
(as these topics are covered by several excellent web sites already), this
site would draw together links that point to library projects, research
(social science, human-computer interaction, etc.), articles, grants,
distance education, conferences, that address the issues directly and
indirectly about providing reference services in a digital age.  The focus
would be on information about the effect of digital library efforts on
providing services in and from libraries and on the staff that do so.



2. Initiate a pilot project in 1999 for a collaborative remote reference
service among libraries, using a variety of Internet communications
technologies (e.g., email, chat, etc.), toward a potential goal of
reference service for users any time anywhere. The Library of Congress is
seeking partners to participate in such a pilot project.  Such a service
might require both technological and quality standards, such as methods
for receiving/distributing/archiving email questions, and methods for
ensuring that answers are timely and accurate and confidential. A pilot
project might start with participating libraries from different USA time
zones.


3. Pursue further discussions about core competencies for library
reference staff in a digital age.  How much technology should a reference
librarian be expected to learn and use?  Should distinctions between
reference staff and technical assistants be reexamined?  What do reference
librarians need to know to survive as libraries and users continue their
use of digital technology?  What is the role of library schools in
ensuring that new students and librarians are prepared to offer both
digital and traditional reference services in the future?  Should LC have
a role in furthering the discussion, along with other associations and
interested parties?


At the open session, we will offer a brief introduction to each of these
projects and then open the discussion for your ideas and recommendations.


We look forward to seeing many of you on Sunday January 31!


Though we are unable to respond to messages, if you have comments about
these potential projects or about the open session in Philadelphia, please
send your comments to:


digiref at loc.gov