[13828] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: Important Survey on the Future of E-Reference
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Lynn Hoffmann)
Mon Mar 26 20:02:54 2001
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 07:53:24 -0500
From: Lynn Hoffmann <lynn.hoffmann@SRU.EDU>
In-reply-to: <Pine.SOL.4.21.0103221518060.19133-100000@sun8.loc.gov>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-to: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
Message-id: <3.0.5.32.20010326075324.00c26f38@rockmail.sru.edu>
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I don't recall in the information I read about this that there would be a
charge for service. This seems to be implied below in the requirements to
participants. Is this going to be another "non profit" service like OCLC
only through LC?
Lynn
At 03:19 PM 3/22/2001 -0500, you wrote:
>Dear Information Professional:
>
>Imagine a reference service where a patron in a public library in New
>Jersey can query an online system and get a language specialist at a
>university library in Wisconsin to provide a transliteration of a Saudi
>place name ... all within a matter of hours. Sound hard to believe?
>
>It is exactly what is possible with the Collaborative Digital Reference
>Service (CDRS).
>
>CDRS provides professional reference services to its members any time
>anywhere, through an international, digital network of libraries and
>related institutions. Launched by the Library of Congress in June 2000,
>CDRS's quickly growing membership now includes more than 70 libraries of
>all types worldwide. CDRS has received wide exposure in the press,
>including the Associated Press, CNN's web site, Forbes Magazine, and the
>February issue of the Library Journal.
>
>By networking members to obtain information and reference services on
>behalf of their users (e.g., teachers, students, life-long learners,
>researchers), CDRS combines the power of local collections and staff
>strengths with the diversity and availability of members and their staff
>everywhere, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Through CDRS, there is always a
>member available to provide users with the experience of trained
>professionals who provide ready access to analog and digital collections
>and resources.
>
>We Need Your Help!
>
>You are cordially invited to help us shape the future of e-reference by
>participating in a web survey. The survey is completely confidential and
>requires only 10 minutes to complete. The survey asks your opinion on the
>importance of various e-reference features and the value (price) of
>e-reference services to your organization.
>
>To participate in the survey, you should meet the following two criteria:
>-- 1) You purchase or influence the purchase of online knowledge-based
>services for your organization (e.g., online database subscriptions,
>e-journals)
>-- 2) You are familiar with the current prices of online knowledge-based
>services.
>
>All of the information you need to take the survey is included online.
>However, we have also included a description of CDRS and proposed options
>below, for your easy reference. You may find it useful to access this
>information when taking the survey. To take the survey, simply point your
>browser to the following URL. You must have a browser that supports Java
>to take the survey (recent browser versions are Java enabled), and the
>browser must be configured, through Preferences or Options, to accept
>Java.
>
>
>http://www.speakout.com/coop/library/
>
>
>Join the many information professionals who have a voice in the future of
>e-reference by taking the survey today. Your input is greatly appreciated
>and will be very helpful to the planning of this unique and exciting
>service that combines the best of librarianship with the best technology on
>behalf of users everywhere. Thank you in advance for your participation.
>
>
>Diane Nester Kresh
>Director Public Service Collections and Project Director of CDRS
>The Library of Congress
>
>
>P.S. Watch for upcoming announcements on CDRS interactive sessions at the
>June session of ALA in San Francisco! The CDRS web site is at:
>
>http://www.loc.gov/rr/digiref/
>
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------
>Description of CDRS and Proposed Options
>
>CDRS provides the following basic e-reference services to your library over
>the Internet:
>
>-- Submit reference questions through a Web-based form and review responses
>(e.g., bibliographic citations, answers) on a Web-based report
>-- Select a deadline and targeted education/age level for each reference
>request
>-- Select the method of delivery (e.g., e-mail, URL, postal mail, fax) and
>routing (e.g., direct to library, direct to patron with library
>notification) for responses to each request
>-- Create, maintain, and control profile information (e.g., name, address,
>e-mail address, collection strengths) of your organization and its staff
>using Web-based forms
>
>
>Option #1: Content Delivery
>
>In addition to the basic e-reference services of CDRS, this value-added
>option provides the following additional services:
>
>-- Receive or access digital media (e.g., text, picture, video, or sound
>files) as part of the response (document delivery)
>-- Access inter-library loan (ILL) services that enable patrons to request
>items not available at your library
>-- Access e-commerce services that enable patrons to purchase items not
>available at your library
>
>
>Options #2: Member Web Site
>
>In addition to the basic e-reference services of CDRS, this value-added
>option provides the following additional services:
>
>-- Access detailed information on the innovation and standardization of
>e-reference best practices, including online webcasts and chats with
>leaders in the field
>-- Access detailed information on CDRS, including alerts, discussion
>topics, upcoming events, and membership and system statistics
>-- Access online tools that support problem-solving, innovation, and
>collaboration on e-reference issues with other members
>-- Customize and access a personalized Web page that aggregates and
>organizes the above information according to your interests and needs
>
lynn.hoffmann@sru.edu
Bailey Library
Slippery Rock University
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
(724) 738-2666
Fax: 724 738 2661
