Virtual Reference Competencies III: Maintain and Build Reference Skills and Knowledge

An ACRL Online Seminar
November 24 - December 13, 2008

The registration period for this course has ended.  Please check back for future offerings of this course.

Course Description:
Without good communications skills a librarian will have a difficult time being a good reference librarian. However, without solid competence in reference skills and knowledge, a librarian is not a librarian. This reference expertise is why information seekers—all potential and current library users—will choose to use virtual reference services instead of just Googling on their own. Reference competencies involve searching, critical thinking, and information organization skills, as well as knowledge of specific reference sources and information-finding tools. Competent reference librarians are aware of the publication processes, both print and electronic, and the policies, procedures, organization, and legal environment of their specific library or library organization.

In this workshop participants will engage in learning activities, supported by readings as well as lecture and discussion to maintain and build on the reference competencies required by effective virtual reference librarians.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course, you will have:

• Ability to be approachable -- to maintain and project a welcoming and enthusiastic reference service attitude through text-based communications
• Awareness of and ability to apply organizational policies relevant to any given user of a specific virtual reference service
• Detailed functional knowledge of ready-reference sources of information, such as encyclopedias, almanacs, indices, bibliographies and standard reference works in print and electronic formats
• Awareness of the best or core reference sources available in print and electronic formats, and of the range of information resources that may be used in the delivery of reference services for selected subjects and general reference
• Ability to conduct good reference interviews, to analyze reference questions using knowledge of the structures, organization, and accessibility of information in print and electronic formats
• Awareness of the need to and ability to evaluate information resources for their appropriateness in level, scope, and format for a given user
• Ability to develop effective and flexible search strategies including keyword and Boolean searching in library catalogs, licensed databases, and Web search engines
• Awareness of the scope and limitations of Web search engines
• Ability to perform advanced searches in at least one major Web search engine (e.g., Google, Ask.com, Yahoo!)
• Awareness of the scope and limitations of and the ability to use freely accessible Web reference tools (e.g., Wikipedia, IMDb, Crime Library)
• Awareness of the need and the ability to evaluate information quality of Web published information, but also to think critically about all sources of information
• Awareness of the fee-based or licensed databases accessible to both the virtual reference librarian and any given user of virtual reference services
  • Detailed functional knowledge of the fee-based or licensed databases accessible to both the virtual reference librarian and any given user of virtual reference services
• Awareness of how and where to search local holdings information for print and electronic resources
• Awareness of how and where to search the catalogs of other libraries and library organizations
• Awareness of and ability to apply the available options for appropriate information referrals

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

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 closed. Please check back for future offerings of this course.

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.