Monday, June 27, from 8:00 – 10:00 am; Morial Convention Center, Room 285
The RSS/MARS Virtual Reference Services Committee will be hosting an exciting program at ALA Annual in New Orleans: Behind the Text: Pulling Back the Curtain on Virtual Reference. Although hardware and software play a pivotal role in virtual reference (VR) services, it is the human interaction, as with all reference transactions, that is most important. This panel, moderated by Peter Bromberg will put to rest some of the misconceptions about VR, present ideas on teaching with VR, and examine elements that contribute to positive experiences for librarians and patrons. The panelists are Lisa A. Ellis (Associate Professor and Information Services Librarian, Baruch College, New York), Kris Johnson (AskColorado/AskAcademic Coordinator, Colorado State Library), and Jennifer Robinson (Librarian, Virtual & Instruction Services, The Seattle Public Library). Audience participation is encouraged, and there will be time for your questions during the program. Prepare to have your ideas about what VR is and what it can do expanded.
Also of note is that the official meeting of the RSS/MARS Virtual Reference Services Committee will take place during the RSS All-Committee Meeting and Open House on Saturday, June 25, from 8:00 – 10:00 am, in the New Orleans Marriott (Balconies L – N). If you are interested in the work of the committee, you welcome to stop by our table.
Daniel Boozer, Co-Chair
Donald.boozer@cpl.org