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There has been in recent years a surge of interest about new software products that make it possible for libraries to offer assistance to online users via chat. Such software offers far more interactivity than instant messaging programs and allow for a richer experience for both librarian and user. Surveys chat reference services around the globe and analyzes trends in the provision of this new mode of assistance. Also presents discussion of why chat reference service is gathering attention as well as its limitations and drawbacks.

The development of information and communication technologies, and wide spread of the Internet and its associated technologies have brought about tremendous changes in the reference department of academic libraries, and in the attitudes and expectations of both information professionals and users. Many academic libraries across the globe have embraced Web technologies to fulfil users reference needs in a digital environment. This study aimed to investigate and analyse digital reference services (DRS) in university libraries in Pakistan. It focused on the nature and level of DRS, technologies used for the provision of the service, usage, staffing, marketing, funding, ICT infrastructure available for the service, and looked at the issues faced by academic libraries in implementing and managing the service. A mixed methods research approach combining both quantitative and qualitative methods was employed to achieve the aim and objectives of the study. The quantitative data for the study were collected through an online survey. A total of eighty five university libraries (both in public and private sectors) from all the four provinces, the federal capital and Azad Jammu & Kashmir participated in the survey. The quantitative data were supplemented by the qualitative data which were gathered through semi-structured interviews with the heads of fifteen leading university libraries. Findings suggest that DRS is at an early development stage in university libraries in Pakistan, with a small number of libraries offering the service. Most of the academic libraries which have implemented this cutting-edge service, are large libraries equipped with good human and technological resources. The libraries have mostly developed asynchronous digital reference systems by employing e-mail and web forms. The usage of the service is lower than that of in-person reference in academic libraries due to factors, such as libraries failure to effectively market the service, lack of ICT skills among users, lack of ICT facilities available for users. It was found that the libraries lack skilled and competent LIS professionals to staff the service. Factors contributing to the scarcity of skilled human resources in academic libraries include the lack of in-house training for DRS, shortage of continuing professional development courses in the country, and deficiencies in LIS curricula offered by the country s library schools. A number of issues which affect the implementation and management of DRS in academic libraries have been identified. They include: scarcity of competent human resources; access to appropriate digital resources; unavailability of suitable software for DRS; financial constraints; lack of ICT facilities; absence of a digital reference policy; lack of ICT application; paucity of resources; electricity supply; inadequate physical facilities; lack of local research and literature on DRS.

在資訊科技蓬勃發展和網路資源不斷快速成長的影響下，圖書館應用數位方式提供參考服務為時勢所趨；如何保有參考服務本質並應用創新科技來推行服務，成為圖書館的重要議題。公共圖書館為地方知識門戶，扮演著蒐集和提供社區民眾有關生活和學習資訊的角色；藉由網路強化參考諮詢服務，可進一步接觸原有讀者與潛在使用者，促進民眾對於圖書館各種服務的使用。 為瞭解國內公共圖書館推行數位參考服務之現況，本研究以台灣本島縣市與文化局圖書館為對象。透過問卷調查各縣市圖書館的參考服務模式、推行情況、館員知能等情形。再進一步以訪談法，探究縣市圖書館在施行數位參考服務時所面臨的困境、館員對於服務的看法等面向，以提出未來發展服務的相關建議，藉此提昇我國縣市圖書館數位參考服務之品質。 經調查顯示，國內縣市圖書館在數位參考服務的整體情況，有71%是透過電子郵件方式進行服務，其次14%是提供主題式線上參考資源，而僅有5%的圖書館建立知識庫。雖有各種不同類型的服務方式，縣市圖書館仍缺乏一個專屬於數位參考服務的管道，而數位資源的建置也需進一步加強，同時圖書館面臨了專業人員與資訊人員不足的困境。在使用者方面，學生為主要使用族群，常提出關於學校課業的諮詢問題。在館員認知方面，縣市圖書館館員雖偏好傳統面對面參考服務，但對於推動數位參考服務仍抱持著樂觀其成的態度，並贊同未來朝向數位合作參考服務的方向發展。 由研究結果歸納建議，縣市圖書館發展數位參考服務應重視組織規劃、服務推展與館際合作三大部份：在組織規劃方面，圖書館應積極研擬數位參考服務發展策略並設立專屬管道，進行人力重整或以合作方式解決人力缺乏問題，同時需提供相關教育訓練課程給予參與參考服務的館員們。在服務推展上，應掌握讀者認知習慣，透過利用教育課程提升讀者的資訊素養，同時進行服務狀況的紀錄統計，並著力於數位資源建置。在館際合作方面，可與學校圖書館一同推展利用教育課程，並結合圖書館現有合作服務項目共同發展數位合作參考服務，以創造雙贏局面。 / Due to the ubiquitous information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the blooming resources on the Internet, libraries now inevitably provide reference services with emerging ICTs. The phenomenon is highlighted within public libraries because of their obligations of equally offering information and its accessibility to the general public. By conducting the questionnaire survey and personal interviews, this study intends to investigate the current status quo of digital reference services in public libraries in Taiwan; to identify the challenges of improving their digital reference services, and to present corresponding solutions. Based on the results of 19 questionnaires and 10 interviews, the study finds that: (1)71% digital reference services are provided via email; 14% are via online pathfinder, and 5% are via knowledge base created by library. (2)Digital reference services are not prioritized in organization developing plan. Accordingly, the promotion of digital reference services, the acquisition of digital resources, and the need of full time librarians and IT staffs are often neglected. (3)From the educational perspective, the digital reference services can help the librarians for advising on students’ school projects and implementing information instructions to the public. (4)Although most librarians showed their willingness to promote digital reference services, they still preferred the traditional face-to-face reference services. However, they also agreed that the collaborative digital reference service will be the emerging trend . This study suggests that: (1)Public libraries should have digital reference services development strategy. (2)To solve the labor force deficiency, organization reengineering or cooperation should be considered. (3)The statistics of the digital reference services usage should be collected and analyzed. (4)The online reference resources for public libraries should be expanded. (5)To enhance users’ information literacy, library instructions and promoting events are necessary. (6)Public libraries could cooperate with the school libraries on improving the information literacy of students. (7)Public libraries should offer digital reference training programs to enhance librarians’ professional capabilities, such as electronic resources management. (8)Combine digital reference services with other interlibrary cooperation.

Launching of digital reference services by academic libraries is on the increase. Libraries are exploring new ways of expanding their services by interacting with users and responding to user inquiries via the Internet, especially students enrolled on the distance mode of studying. The purpose of this study was to evaluate digital reference services at the Polytechnic of Namibia library and the University of Namibia library. Two aspects were evaluated, namely, ‘Resources’ and ‘elements of the general digital reference model’. This study was a summative evaluation study in which semi-structured interviews and observations were used to collect data. The research findings showed that these libraries used the general digital reference model in providing responses to the library users. The study established that the two libraries did not follow the IFLA and RUSA standards of staffing and training of librarians working with digital reference services. The study further found that a lack of ability to fully demonstrate to users how to access various library services was one of the major problems that the librarians experienced. / Program: Masterprogram: Biblioteks- och informationsvetenskap, Digitala bibliotek och informationstjänster

Chat reference is becoming prevalent in academic libraries across the country. This paper details the experience of East Tennessee State University's Sherrod Library when initiating such a service at their institution during the 2001-2002 academic year, which began as a response to the addition of a new online degree program in the state. Software selection, staff training, management issues, and statistical data are presented. Data analyzed includes use patterns, types of questions, and categories of users. The paper details librarians' reactions to providing reference services in this format, including the problems encountered. It also offers suggestions for a more successful implementation.

Chat reference is becoming prevalent in academic libraries across the country. This paper details the experience of East Tennessee State University’s Sherrod Library when initiating such a service at their institution during the 2001-2002 academic year, which began as a response to the addition of a new online degree program in the state. Software selection, staff training, management issues, and statistical data are presented. Data analyzed includes use patterns, types of questions, and categories of users. The paper details librarians’ reactions to providing reference services in this format, including the problems encountered. It also offers suggestions for a more successful implementation.

Chat reference is becoming prevalent in academic libraries across the country. This paper details the experience of East Tennessee State University’s Sherrod Library when initiating such a service at their institution during the 2001-2002 academic year, which began as a response to the addition of a new online degree program in the state. Software selection, staff training, management issues, and statistical data are presented. Data analyzed includes use patterns, types of questions, and categories of users. The paper details librarians’ reactions to providing reference services in this format, including the problems encountered. It also offers suggestions for a more successful implementation.

Orientador: Plácida Leopoldina Ventura Amorim da Costa Santos / Banca: Silvana Aparecida Borsetti Gregório Vidotti / Banca: Edberto Ferneda / Resumo: O ambiente eletrônico para a disponibilização de informações vem incorporando com freqüência os serviços oferecidos pelas bibliotecas, procurando proporcionar facilidades na localização de informações e de documentos nas redes eletrônicas. Entretanto, muitos usuários encontram dificuldades na interação com certas interfaces, o que torna a busca por informações desestimulante e muitas vezes estressante. Deste modo, buscam-se alternativas para tornar as interfaces humano-computador mais amigáveis e "inteligentes". O desenvolvimento e utilização de sistemas de agentes de interface apresentam-se como uma boa opção para minimizar este tipo de problema. Estes sistemas têm como função interagir com o usuário, como se fossem personagens que auxiliam na realização de determinadas tarefas. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desta pesquisa é analisar e desenvolver um agente de interface que atuará como um agente de referência em um site simulado de uma biblioteca oferecendo um serviço de busca personalizado a partir das relações do usuário com um sistema digital. O agente de interface, possuindo as informações fornecidas pelos usuários, construirá uma estratégia de busca que determina as palavras significativas do texto apresentado pelo usuário e passa a atuar como um pesquisador em catálogos de bibliotecas disponíveis na Internet e no índice Google para oferecer respostas às solicitações. Com a aplicação do agente de interface pretende-se avaliar a atuação deste tipo de software como facilitador da interação do usuário com acervos disponíveis, via catálogos digitais, não como mera ilustração, mas como um assistente pessoal no processo de busca à informação. E ainda verificar através do experimento com o protótipo, baseado na metodologia de avaliação heurística quais ações deverão ser tomadas para a correção dos erros que afetam a... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The electronic environment for the dispose of information is frequently incorporating the services offered by the libraries, aiming to provide means to find information and documents in electronic nets. However, many users have difficulties in the interaction with certain interfaces, which turns the search for information uninteresting and, most of the time, stressful. That way, alternatives are being searched to turn the human-computer interfaces more friendly and "intelligent". The development and use of interface agent systems are good alternatives to minimize this type of problem. These systems function to interact with the user, as if they were characters that help in the accomplishment of certain tasks. In that sense, the objective of this research is to analyze and develop an interface agent that acts as a reference agent in a simulated website of a library, offering a personalized search service starting from the user's relationships with a digital system. The interface agent, having the information provided by the users, will build a search strategy that determines the significant words of a text presented by the user and will act as a researcher in catalogs of available libraries on Internet and in the Google index in order to offer answers to the solicitations. With the application of the interface agent the author intends to evaluate the performance of this type of software as a facilitator of the user's interaction with available collections, through digital catalogs, not as a mere illustration, but as a personal assistant in the information search process, as well as to verify through experiments with the prototype, based on the heuristic evaluation methodology, which actions should be taken for the correction of mistakes that affect the interface usability, confirming the hypothesis of effectiveness of a system of that nature... (Complete abstract, click electronic address below) / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:26:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2005-08-26Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:14:02Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 moreno_ps_me_mar.pdf: 1148360 bytes, checksum: 6a75eaeae9628dd943c8adfffeac69aa (MD5) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / O ambiente eletrônico para a disponibilização de informações vem incorporando com freqüência os serviços oferecidos pelas bibliotecas, procurando proporcionar facilidades na localização de informações e de documentos nas redes eletrônicas. Entretanto, muitos usuários encontram dificuldades na interação com certas interfaces, o que torna a busca por informações desestimulante e muitas vezes estressante. Deste modo, buscam-se alternativas para tornar as interfaces humano-computador mais amigáveis e inteligentes. O desenvolvimento e utilização de sistemas de agentes de interface apresentam-se como uma boa opção para minimizar este tipo de problema. Estes sistemas têm como função interagir com o usuário, como se fossem personagens que auxiliam na realização de determinadas tarefas. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desta pesquisa é analisar e desenvolver um agente de interface que atuará como um agente de referência em um site simulado de uma biblioteca oferecendo um serviço de busca personalizado a partir das relações do usuário com um sistema digital. O agente de interface, possuindo as informações fornecidas pelos usuários, construirá uma estratégia de busca que determina as palavras significativas do texto apresentado pelo usuário e passa a atuar como um pesquisador em catálogos de bibliotecas disponíveis na Internet e no índice Google para oferecer respostas às solicitações. Com a aplicação do agente de interface pretende-se avaliar a atuação deste tipo de software como facilitador da interação do usuário com acervos disponíveis, via catálogos digitais, não como mera ilustração, mas como um assistente pessoal no processo de busca à informação. E ainda verificar através do experimento com o protótipo, baseado na metodologia de avaliação heurística quais ações deverão ser tomadas para a correção dos erros que afetam a... / The electronic environment for the dispose of information is frequently incorporating the services offered by the libraries, aiming to provide means to find information and documents in electronic nets. However, many users have difficulties in the interaction with certain interfaces, which turns the search for information uninteresting and, most of the time, stressful. That way, alternatives are being searched to turn the human-computer interfaces more friendly and intelligent. The development and use of interface agent systems are good alternatives to minimize this type of problem. These systems function to interact with the user, as if they were characters that help in the accomplishment of certain tasks. In that sense, the objective of this research is to analyze and develop an interface agent that acts as a reference agent in a simulated website of a library, offering a personalized search service starting from the user's relationships with a digital system. The interface agent, having the information provided by the users, will build a search strategy that determines the significant words of a text presented by the user and will act as a researcher in catalogs of available libraries on Internet and in the Google index in order to offer answers to the solicitations. With the application of the interface agent the author intends to evaluate the performance of this type of software as a facilitator of the user's interaction with available collections, through digital catalogs, not as a mere illustration, but as a personal assistant in the information search process, as well as to verify through experiments with the prototype, based on the heuristic evaluation methodology, which actions should be taken for the correction of mistakes that affect the interface usability, confirming the hypothesis of effectiveness of a system of that nature... (Complete abstract, click electronic address below)