Important Survey on the Future of E-Reference

[digiref at loc.gov]

Dear Information Professional:

Imagine a reference service where a patron in a public library in New
Jersey can query an online system and get a language specialist at a
university library in Wisconsin to provide a transliteration of a Saudi
place name ... all within a matter of hours.   Sound hard to believe?

It is exactly what is possible with the Collaborative Digital Reference
Service (CDRS).

CDRS provides professional reference services to its members any time
anywhere, through an international, digital network of libraries and
related institutions.  Launched by the Library of Congress in June 2000,
CDRS's quickly growing membership now includes more than 70 libraries of
all types worldwide.  CDRS has received wide exposure in the press,
including the Associated Press, CNN's web site, Forbes Magazine, and the
February issue of the Library Journal.

By networking members to obtain information and reference services on
behalf of their users (e.g., teachers, students, life-long learners,
researchers), CDRS combines the power of local collections and staff
strengths with the diversity and availability of members and their staff
everywhere, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Through CDRS, there is always a
member available to provide users with the experience of trained
professionals who provide ready access to analog and digital collections
and resources. 

We Need Your Help!

You are cordially invited to help us shape the future of e-reference by
participating in a web survey.  The survey is completely confidential and
requires only 10 minutes to complete.  The survey asks your opinion on the
importance of various e-reference features and the value (price) of
e-reference services to your organization.  

To participate in the survey, you should meet the following two criteria:  
-- 1) You purchase or influence the purchase of online knowledge-based
services for your organization (e.g., online database subscriptions,
e-journals)
-- 2) You are familiar with the current prices of online knowledge-based
services.  

All of the information you need to take the survey is included online.
However, we have also included a description of CDRS and proposed options
below, for your easy reference.  You may find it useful to access this
information when taking the survey.  To take the survey, simply point your
browser to the following URL.  You must have a browser that supports Java
to take the survey (recent browser versions are Java enabled), and the
browser must be configured, through Preferences or Options,  to accept
Java.


http://www.speakout.com/coop/library/


Join the many information professionals who have a voice in the future of
e-reference by taking the survey today.  Your input is greatly appreciated
and will be very helpful to the planning of this unique and exciting
service that combines the best of librarianship with the best technology on
behalf of users everywhere.  Thank you in advance for your participation.


Diane Nester Kresh
Director Public Service Collections and Project Director of CDRS
The Library of Congress


P.S.  Watch for upcoming announcements on CDRS interactive sessions at the
June session of ALA in San Francisco!   The CDRS web site is at:

http://www.loc.gov/rr/digiref/


--------------------------------------------------------------
Description of CDRS and Proposed Options

CDRS provides the following basic e-reference services to your library over
the Internet:

-- Submit reference questions through a Web-based form and review responses
(e.g., bibliographic citations, answers) on a Web-based report
-- Select a deadline and targeted education/age level for each reference
request
-- Select the method of delivery (e.g., e-mail, URL, postal mail, fax) and
routing (e.g., direct to library, direct to patron with library
notification) for responses to each request
-- Create, maintain, and control profile information (e.g., name, address,
e-mail address, collection strengths) of your organization and its staff
using Web-based forms


Option #1:  Content Delivery

In addition to the basic e-reference services of CDRS, this value-added
option provides the following additional services:

-- Receive or access digital media (e.g., text, picture, video, or sound
files) as part of the response (document delivery)
-- Access inter-library loan (ILL) services that enable patrons to request
items not available at your library
-- Access e-commerce services that enable patrons to purchase items not
available at your library


Options #2:  Member Web Site

In addition to the basic e-reference services of CDRS, this value-added
option provides the following additional services:

-- Access detailed information on the innovation and standardization of
e-reference best practices, including online webcasts and chats with
leaders in the field
-- Access detailed information on CDRS, including alerts, discussion
topics, upcoming events, and membership and system statistics
-- Access online tools that support problem-solving, innovation, and
collaboration on e-reference issues with other members
-- Customize and access a personalized Web page that aggregates and
organizes the above information according to your interests and needs