MIDWINTER: REFERENCE SVC in a DIGITAL AGE
Michael A. Golrick (mgolrick@sclc.org)
Fri, 19 Dec 1997 10:08:42 -0500
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 10:08:42 -0500
Message-Id: <199712191509.KAA02945@comet.connix.com>
From: mgolrick@sclc.org (Michael A. Golrick)
To: Multiple recipients of list <conntech>
Subject: MIDWINTER: REFERENCE SVC in a DIGITAL AGE
>From one of my many listserv subscriptions.
Michael
>Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 09:29:17 -0500 (EST)
>Reply-To: digiref@loc.gov
>Sender: owner-rusa-l@ala1.ala.org
>From: digiref@loc.gov
>To: Reference and User Services Association List <rusa-l@ala1.ala.org>
>Subject: MIDWINTER: REFERENCE SVC in a DIGITAL AGE
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>
>
>
>This message is cross-posted. Feel free to distribute it to interested
>others.
>
>
>You are invited to an exploratory meeting. . .
>
> REFERENCE SERVICE IN A DIGITAL AGE
>
> Open Discussion Session
> Sponsored by the Library of Congress
> ALA Midwinter
> Sunday January 11, 1998
> 4:30pm - 6:30pm
> New Orleans Convention Center
> Room 57
>
>
>The Library of Congress will host an open discussion session, on reference
>service in a digital age, as part of an effort to plan an institute
>on this topic later in 1998. The session will be hosted by Diane Kresh,
>Acting Director, Public Service Collections, LC, and moderated by Anne
>Lipow, Director, Library Solutions Institute and Press. Speakers will give
>brief synopses of current innovations and experiments in reference to spark
>discussion in selected areas.
>
>
>
>Why This Meeting?
>
>In recent years much has been written about and much implemented for
>digital libraries, including digital collection development, cataloging,
>and preservation. Also, there is some literature about redefining
>reference work and in some cases even eliminating it. However, except for
>some predictions that the human interface will become obsolete as
>electronic finding aids using artificial intelligence improve, there
>appears to be little focus on the role of the reference librarian as
>mediator in the digital library and the larger digital environment.
>
>We start with the premise that far from becoming obsolete, reference
>librarians providing service will be more needed than ever in the digital
>environment. But unless we intervene to ensure that future, it won't
>happen. Therefore, this exploratory meeting.
>
>
>Themes
>
>Below are some questions, organized around five themes, that we believe
>need fresh answers. We want to hear your ideas about them; we want to hear
>what other issues you are concerned about regarding reference service.
>Please come ready to participate or to just listen.
>
>
>
>Staff Skills and Training
>
>What new skills do we need and how do we get them?
>How do new developments in technology, education (e.g., distance
>learning), architecture, publishing, and so on affect the skills and
>responsibilities of reference librarians?
>
>
>
>Onsite and Remote Users
>
>What sort of reference service should be available to the onsite and the
>remote user? Will reference librarians need to compete with Internet
>answering services? Will libraries continue to have a role in ensuring
>the quality of reference service to researchers who may not be onsite in a
>library building? Should we be taking better advantage of interactive
>communications technology such as chat and email to provide service?
>
>
>
>
>Mixing the Electronic and Paper Worlds
>
>How will we better integrate old and new resources in the reference
>transaction? How can we address the likelihood that users of handy
>digital resources will ignore superior physical resources on library
>shelves?
>
>
>
>Policies
>
>What policies need to be implemented to ensure the ability of the
>reference staff to provide quality service to all and priority service to
>a library's primary clientele while also providing services to other
>remote researchers?
>
>
>
>Models
>
>Are there models of cooperative service that can apply to the library
>environment? Should libraries of different types, and librarians remote
>from each other and with different skills, work together to ensure that
>researchers can fulfill their needs in a digital age? Can several
>reference departments working together provide better service than each one
>can provide separately? Is there a special role for the national and the
>state libraries in promoting cooperative services?
>
>
>
>Please join us to express your ideas and concerns and to contribute toward
>planning an institute later in the year.
>
>
>
>For ideas and comments, email: digiref@loc.gov
>
>
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>
>
>
>
Michael A. Golrick mgolrick@sclc.org
Southern Connecticut Library Council
voice: 203-288-5757
fax: 203-287-0757
The meaning is in the journey not the conclusion.