Online Reference

Success Stories

IM Reference: Making the Switch

• Sherri Vokey at UNLV gets her library to switch to IM Reference [more]
• Chad Boeninger convinced his library to do a pilot project with IM Reference [more]

Software/Vendors We Like for Web-Based Reference

If you would like to recommend a vendor, please sign your name to the recommendation so that we know it's not from a vendor. An explanation of why you like this vendor would be great too!

• Docutek VRLplus
• OCLC QuestionPoint
• Tutor.com Virtual Reference Toolkit

Software We Like for IM Reference

If you would like to recommend software, please sign your name to the recommendation so that we know it's not from a vendor. An explanation of why you like this software would be great too!

• Trillian - Multiple network program (Recommended by Meredith)
• Gaim - Open Source, multiple network (Recommended by Meredith)
• Fire - Open Source, Mac, multiple network (Recommended by Aaron)
• Adium - Open Source, Mac, multiple networks (Recommended by Aaron)

Software We Like for Other Types of Online Reference

If you would like to recommend software, please sign your name to the recommendation so that we know it's not from a vendor. An explanation of why you like this software would be great too!

• JYBE – Free co-browsing software. (Recommended by Meredith)
• Skype - Free VOIP Software (Recommended by Meredith)

Libraries Using IM Reference

• Morrisville State College
• Duke University
• University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Marin County Free Library
• St. Joseph County Public Library
• Thomas Ford Memorial Library
• Temple University
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Georgia Perimeter College
• Homer Township Public Library - PowerPoint presentation: IM Reference: What We've Learned (COLT, June 24, 2005)
• Wake Forest University

Libraries Using Jybe

• Northern Illinois University

Blogs/Websites to Watch

• ::schwagbag:: by Sherri Vokey
• Walking Paper by Aaron Schmidt
• Librarian in Black by Sarah Houghton
• Digital Reference by Stephen Francoeur

Specific Blog Posts/Articles to Check Out

• IM Me by Aaron Schmidt and Michael Stephens. Featured in Library Journal in April, 2005
• Chat Reference at Morrisville State College Library by Bill Drew. Featured in Ronan, Jana, ed. Chat reference : a guide to live virtual reference services
• Virtual Reference Software Comparative Review by Jody Condit Fagan. The Charleston Advisor, April 2005, pp. 16-35.
• How Americans Use Instant Messaging from the Pew Internet & American Life Project (September 2004)
• web-based chat vs. instant messaging by Caleb at the L-net staff information blog.