Virtual Reference Competencies: Acquire and Improve Technical Skills and Knowledge

An ACRL Online Seminar
October 1-20, 2007

(Registered participants, log into WebCT here. Trouble accessing WebCT? Visit the WebCT troubleshooting page.)

Course Description:
The technical competencies essential or desirable for virtual reference librarians to acquire or to improve on are the foundation of virtual reference service provision. Virtual reference service is built on a technical infrastructure. The Internet, the World Wide Web, e-mail, Web chat, Instant Messaging, and all the associatedsupportive technology and software are the environment in which virtual reference librarians work. In "Virtual Reference Competencies: Acquire and Improve Technical Skills and Knowledge," participants will engage in learning activities, supported by readings as well as lecture and discussion to acquire
and improve the technical competencies required by effective virtual reference librarians.

"Virtual Reference Competencies: Acquire and Improve Technical Skills and Knowledge" is a primarily asynchronous seminar, allowing participants to work through course material at times convenient to them throughout the three week scheduled course time. Participants may also choose to schedule online chat time with the teacher, as they feel necessary. Specific material and learning activities will be covered during each week of the course. Threaded discussion forums are available for use in learning activities and other course-related conversations.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this seminar you will:

• assess and improve your ability to type on a computer keyboard and make use of other related input devices (mouse, trackball, touchpad, etc.)
• assess and improve your work with multiple software applications on a computer with multiple windows, to move appropriately between windows/applications, and to move quickly and mindfully between multiple activities chatting, searching print or electronic sources, etc. (minimal multi-tasking)
• evaluate and add to your detailed functional knowledge of how to access the Internet, use Internet e-mail, connect to Web sites
• increase your detailed functional knowledge of at least one Web browser
• cultivate your awareness of the basic technologies that any given virtual reference service user may or may not be using, have access to, or be limited by
• develop awareness of the chat software specifics for a given system you are going to be using then develop:
  • detailed functional knowledge of the specific chat software used by your library or other organization for chat reference
• cultivate awareness of how to connect to and chat through Web-based chat software, Internet messaging, etc.
• add to your awareness of the options for document or information delivery
• practice sending files as attachments in e-mail
• understand when and how to make use of other file transfer options (e.g., Internet messaging, ftp, Web posting)
• develop awareness of common computer file formats for information transfer/document delivery (e.g., .txt, .doc .html .gif .jpg .mpg, .pdf)
  cultivate detailed functional knowledge of your local e-mail system and its limitations as well as general awareness of the functionality of email software used by others.
• make use of options to download, install, and use toolbars, search engines, plug-ins, and other helpful browser extensions.
• assess your ability to use a document scanner to scan print materials to be faxed and/or saved for transfer to the user (e.g., send as attachments by e-mail, file transfer options)

Audience:
Librarians and Library paraprofessionals who want to assess and improve their technical skills for virtual reference services or for those who are training librarians and library paraprofessionals in technical skills for virtual reference services.

Some basic reference service experience is assumed. Level of instruction is beginners or for those training beginners in providing virtual reference services.

Participants should know how to use e-mail and a current standard Web Browser Firefox, Netscape 7.0, Safari or IE 5.5 or higher is preferred.

Instructor:
Diane Kovacs, Kovacs Consulting

The instructor has been teaching virtual reference related concepts and skills online and in-person for more than 14 years. She is the author of The Virtual Reference Handbook: Interview and Information Delivery Techniques for the Chat and E-Mail Environments Neal-Schuman Publishers (2007) published concurrently in the United Kingdom by Facet Publishers (2007)  and The Kovacs Guide to Electronic Library Collection Development:  Essential Core Subject Collections, Selection Criteria, and Guidelines  (Neal-Schuman, January 2004).  Additional Biographical Information is available at http://www.kovacs.com/aboutus.html.

More information on Diane Kovacs

Course Requirements:
Your participation will require approximately three to five hours per week to:

• Read the online seminar material
• Post to online discussion boards
• Complete online exercises
• Complete a seminar evaluation form

Registration
ACRL member: $135
ALA member: $175
CACUL member: Can$195 (charges will be made in U.S. dollars)
Nonmember: $195
Student: $60

Registration is now open.

Register with Credit Card

• Click "register" next to "ACRL Virtual Reference Competencies" (under October 2007 courses)
• You will need to log in with your ALA ID & password. If you do not have an ALA ID & password, you will be asked to create one in order to register.

Register by PO

• Download and complete the PO registration form.
• Submit the form along with your actual PO to ALA registration (fax or mail; see form for details).
• You will not be considered registered for the course until both your PO and the registration form have been received and processed by ALA registration.

Member rates apply to personal memberships only. Want to join ACRL or ALA? Complete the online membership form, available on the ALA Web site. If you join ALA/ACRL within five days of registering, we will adjust your fee (please fax a copy of your completed registration form to ACRL at 312-280-2520).

Payment may be made by credit card or purchase order (PO) only.
If paying by PO, the PO number is required at the time of registration.

Class size is limited to 60 participants. Full refunds will be granted up to 14 days prior to the start of the seminar.