VRD Conference 2001 Deadline Reminder

[VRD Conference]

PLEASE EXCUSE ANY CROSS POSTINGS.

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CONFERENCE DEADLINE REMINDER
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Early bird registration ends *SEPTEMBER 15, 2001* for the Virtual
Reference Desk 2001 Conference, "Setting Standards and Making it Real."
The registration form is available online at:

http://vrd.org/conferences/VRD2001/registration.shtml

"Setting Standards and Making it Real" explores issues in delivering
effective digital reference service in a variety of contexts and setting
standards to ensure quality. Pre- and post-conference workshops focus on
assessing service quality and building real-time reference services. The
conference is hosted by the Information Institute of Syracuse, Syracuse
University's School of Information Studies; the Information Institute at
the School of Information Studies, Florida State University; and SOLINET.

DATE: November 12-13, 2001

LOCATION: The Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Drive, Orlando, FL

TOPICS: Standards for digital reference, real-time technologies;
e-reference management issues; collaborative services; evaluation;
training; and much more!

SPEAKERS:
* Clifford Lynch, Director of the Coalition for Networked Information
(CNI) -  Keynote Speaker
* Susan McGlamery, Coordinator for Reference Services for the Metropolitan
Cooperative Library System
* Nancy O'Neill, Principal Librarian for Reference Services, Santa Monica
Public Library
* Representatives from OCLC; AskERIC; Library of Congress; The University
of Texas, Austin; The Open University (U.K.); Cleveland Public Library;
The Virtual Reference Desk Project; Florida State University; King County
Library System (WA); National Agricultural Library; Massachusetts
Institute of Technology; The Boeing Company; National Library of Medicine;
and many others!
(See preliminary program at:
http://vrd.org/conferences/VRD2001/program.shtml)

WORKSHOPS:

*Measuring & Assessing the Quality of Digital Reference Services* -
Sunday, November 11, 9:00 a.m.4:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Information Use
Management and Policy Institute at the School of Information Studies,
Florida State University. Instructors: Charles R. McClure, Melissa Gross,
and others.

*Building a Real-Time Reference Service* - Wednesday, November 14, 9:00
a.m.12:00 p.m. Sponsored by SOLINET. Instructor: Susan McGlamery.

DEADLINES AND FEES

Fees are for 2-day conference. Registration deadline is October 31, 2001.

**Early Bird Registration: $245 by SEPTEMBER 15**
* Regular Rate: $275
* Groups of Ten or More: $225
* SOLINET Member Rate: $225
* Student Rate: $150. Registration form must include a letter from your
department head confirming your full-time student status and a copy of
your student ID.

(See online registration form for pre- and post-conference workshop fees.)

Please note that no on-site conference registration is available, and that
seating is limited. Previous conferences have been sold out, so please
register early.

SPONSORS TO DATE:

* The U.S. Department of Education
* The National Library of Education's ERIC Clearinghouse on Information &
Technology
* The Library of Congress
* ALA RUSA
* OCLC
* Syracuse University's School of Information Studies

Sponsorship opportunities and exhibit booths are still available. Contact:
vrdconf at vrd.org or see
http://vrd.org/conferences/VRD2001/sponsorship.shtml

The "Setting Standards and Making it Real" Conference is presented by the
Virtual Reference Desk, a project of the U.S. Department of Education,
operated by the Information Institute of Syracuse, Syracuse University.

IMPORTANT URLs AND NUMBERS

*Online conference registration form:
http://vrd.org/conferences/VRD2001/registration.shtml

*Accommodation information:
http://vrd.org/conferences/VRD2001/Accommodations.shtml

*General conference information: http://vrd.org/conferences/VRD2001/

*Contact information: vrdconf at vrd.org or 800-464-9107

************************************************************************
Abby Kasowitz
Coordinator, Virtual Reference Desk Project
abby at vrd.org
www.vrd.org

ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology/
Information Institute of Syracuse
315-443-3640
1-800-464-9107
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VRD 2001 Conference: Setting Standards and Making it Real
November 11-13, Orlando, FL
http://vrd.org/conferences/VRD2001/
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