Project Information:(for Librarians)
Project Coordinator:
Natalie Tagge
Ntagge@ilsos.net
217-557-6329
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PRESS RELEASE
WHITE ANNOUNCES ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN TO FORM
NEW VIRTUAL REFERENCE SERVICE FOR LIBRARIES
SPRINGFIELD—Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has announced that the Illinois State Library has entered into a partnership with the state of Wisconsin to form a new virtual reference service for libraries and their patrons.
"Librarians are the most qualified reference specialists available, and this new partnership will strengthen the already outstanding reference services provided by public, school, academic and special libraries in our two states,” White said. “Librarians are always looking for new ways to meet the information, education and entertainment needs of citizens, and this initiative represents an exciting new means by which Internet users can contact librarians anytime and anywhere.”
“I am excited to forge this new partnership with the Illinois State Library,” said Kathy Schneider, Director, AskWisconsin Librarians Membership for Wisconsin Library Services. “This is a tremendous opportunity to link Illinois and Wisconsin, two states with long traditions of successful and effective resource sharing and places where all types of libraries work closely together. Combining our interests in the area of virtual reference will enhance the service in both states.”
White said the service, which will be offered at a greatly reduced rate to libraries, would use the QuestionPoint 24/7 software offered by the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC). QuestionPoint provides Internet-based question and answer forms; live chatting capability; the ability to track the routing and status of questions; a global reference base; usage statistics and reports; and a customized administrative module. Wisconsin has used QuestionPoint for several years. The new bi-state service will also eventually offer a web log for librarians and patrons. More details about the service will be provided in the near future. Illinois librarians seeking more information about the service may contact Debra Aggertt, Illinois State Library Virtual Reference Coordinator, at daggertt@ilsos.net or 217-558-1945.
| Ask?Away is a consortium of Illinois and Wisconsin libraries and is funded by the Illinois State Library/Secretary of State Jesse White with a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). |
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