[WEB4LIB] Free Virtual Reference Software

[Sloan, Bernie]

You might want to take a look at the RAKIM software, although I haven't
heard much about it recently. 

There are also a number of libraries that use freely available IM
software to do virtual reference. I'm sure some of them will chime in in
response to your question.

Here's a description from the RAKIM FAQ:

RAKIM is a PHP/SQL-based chat service, designed specifically with
libraries in mind.

Here is an overview of some of its features:

* completely browser-based; 
* multiple simultaneous librarians; 
* each librarian can answer multiple, simultaneous patrons; 
* patron referral to another librarian; 
* invite another librarian (and stay in chat); 
* librarian-to-librarian chat; 
* personal bookmarks and prepared messages; 
* shared bookmarks and messages; 
* "push" URLs to patron; 
* transcripts; 
* others.....
 
The FAQ is available through:

http://tinyurl.com/3w8td 

Bernie Sloan

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Hongbin Liu
Sent: Friday, February 04, 2005 4:04 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Free Virtual Reference Software

Greetings, 

Can anybody recommend some free virtual reference (or chat reference)
software for an academic library? 

Thanks, 
Hongbin Liu
University of New Orleans Library