ALA Program: Please Talk to Strangers Online: Spreading Trust in Virtual Reference Services

Are you going to the ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim? Please make sure to join us for this program that will address one of the key facets of a successful virtual reference service: TRUST!

Monday, June 30, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Hyatt Regency Orange County, Grand B-D

Please Talk to Strangers Online: Spreading Trust in Virtual Reference Services

Will another library or vendor staff make my customer happy? Will they come back after their experience? Does it make a difference if an academic or public librarian responds? Our customers and potential customers might chat with friends online, but what reasons would they have to chat with a librarian who is a complete stranger? Caleb Tucker-Raymond will facilitate a lively panel of virtual reference leaders who will explore the issues, present their experiences, and recommend strategies relevant to all types of libraries.

Speakers:

Karen Docherty, Ask a Librarian Coordinator, Maricopa Community Colleges (Arizona) Vince Mariner, AccessPA Virtual Reference Coordinator, Ask Here PA (Pennsylvania) Bill Pardue (appearing virtually), Virtual Services Librarian, Arlington Heights Memorial Library (Illinois)

Facilitator:

Caleb Tucker-Raymond, Oregon Statewide Digital Reference Project Coordinator, Multnomah County Library (Oregon)

This panel discussion is sponsored by the Reference and User Services Association [RUSA], MARS/RSS Virtual Reference Services Committee.