Ann Lipow's workshop: 'Are you ready for digital reference?'

Abstract

Reports on the workshop held in Feb 2002 which debated whether libraries are ready to deliver information round the clock to society's web based users. Chat, no longer teenage entertainment but a serious form of communication, is gaining ground within information searching, and American libraries already offer a 7x24 chat service. Some commercial and library chat services were compared, with the conclusion that such services must be easy to access and use and answers must be given quickly. Before starting a 24 hour service, demand for night time access should be assessed. But computer chat cannot replace face to face conversation with librarians.