[Web4lib] "Chat Aggregators" for virtual reference

[Joy Weese Moll]

We are rolling out IM reference this fall. We've installed Trillian on the
computers that we use at the Reference Desk. Our main reason for choosing
Trillian over Meebo was that it seemed like the notification of an incoming
chat was a bit more obvious.

It's too soon to know the problems, but I can predict since we use three
computers that it will be the shift transitions. If I'm running Trillian at
one computer and we forget to make the transition to the computer that the
next librarian uses, patrons will be IMing to a screen name that looks
active but isn't actually being monitored.

--Joy
Joy Weese Moll
Reference / Web Services Librarian
Washington University in St. Louis

On 7/27/06, Carole Pilkinton <Pilkinton.10 at nd.edu> wrote:
>
> I would be interested in seeing these responses also, and hope you will
> post to the list. Hopefully the subject line will make it easy to filter
> out messages for those who aren't interested. The Reference and User
> Services division of ALA is sponsoring a preconference for Annual 2007
> in DC, and we are looking for someone who can speak knowledgeably (and
> of course enthusiastically) about this very topic--examples, tradeoffs,
> benefits, challenges, etc.
> Thank you for brining up the topic...
>
>
> On 7/27/2006 7:54 AM Turner,Kathleen wrote the following:
>
> >We are looking into implementing virtual (chat) reference, using one of
> >the instant messaging "aggregators" such as Trillian or Meebo.  We are
> >not interested at this time in any of the dedicated virtual reference
> >products.
> >
> >Would any libraries (preferably academic) who are using such aggregators
> >for online reference contact me?  We're interested in learning why you
> >selected the application you're using, what problems you may have
> >encountered, etc.
> >
> >Please reply to my offlist; I will summarize answers for the list.
> >
> >Thank you,
> >
> >
> >Kathleen H. Turner
> >Web/Education Librarian
> >W.W. Hagerty Library
> >33rd and Market Streets
> >Philadelphia, PA 19104-2875
> >
> >Tel: 215.895.6783
> >Fax: 215.895.2070
> >Khturner at drexel.edu <mailto:Khturner at drexel.eduwww.library.drexel.edu>
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >Web4lib mailing list
> >Web4lib at webjunction.org
> >http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
> >
> >
>
> --
> Carole Pilkinton
> Electronic Resources Librarian
> pilkinton.10 at nd.edu
> 574-631-8405
> 205 Hesburgh Library
> University of Notre Dame
> Notre Dame IN 46556
>
> _______________________________________________
> Web4lib mailing list
> Web4lib at webjunction.org
> http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
>