[WEB4LIB] RE: What's wrong with virtual reference?

[Drew, Bill]

 I must agree with Elena O'Malley.  Virtual reference never was a
"killer application."  I am a strong advocate for virtual reference but
feel that the simpler the better is the way to go.  Th biggest obstacle
to some things at times is how quick we can be to throw other things out
for the newest toy on the block.  Virtual reference is one more way for
patrons to reach us. It is not a replacement for e-mail, face-to-face,
or telephone reference services.    There is nothing wrong with virtual
reference.  What may be wrong is how its implemented or how other
services are cut back because of its implementation.

Bill Drew
drewwe at morrisville.edu