I just added over a dozen libraries LISwiki’s list libraries providing virtual reference services. The only libraries that had been listed were those using web-based chat, but the description of the list clearly states "this list is for libraries with some form of synchronous or chat services," and last time I checked, Instant Messaging and Jybe qualify as synchronous chat. A big thanks to the LibSuccess wiki’s list of IM reference services (from which I, well, pilfered the content). Cross-wiki pollination!
“LIS Wiki’s “List of libraries providing virtual reference services””
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July 13th, 2005 at 7:43 am
The first version of the list was created using my out-of-date index of chat reference services. I gave my permission for this list to be copy and pasted into the LISWiki with the understanding that many of the links were out of date. (Between 2000 and 2002, the list was reasonably accurate and complete.) The list that got copied was actually just one of four that I used to maintain on my Teaching Librarian site. It was the one that breaks down the services by country and then state. The index of services by software used was not copied to the wiki, but you can see on it a very dated list of which libraries were using what software. There are sections for AOL Instant Messenger, ICQ, and MSN Messenger. Some of those libraries still use IM clients, others have switched to some other software, and still others have dropped chat reference altogether. All of the libraries on the software-used were also on the list by country (the one that got copied to the wiki). It may be worth checking to see if any of these libraries on my list are still using IM so that they may be added to the LIS Success wiki and to the LISWiki. (Gerry McKiernan’s LiveRef list, too, indicated what software was being used and may also be a source of additional info.) I am glad to see renewed interest maintaining such a list. In particular, I’m partial to the idea of indicating what software is being used, as it is a good way to connect those librarians considering different software solutions for their libraries to those librarians who have experience with specific software (and are willing to dish the dirt on the software as needed…and there’s a lot of dirt!)