Register for now for the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) e-learning course, “Virtual Reference Competencies Part 1,” to be offered September 29 – October 17, 2008.
ABOUT THE COURSE
The technical competencies essential or desirable for virtual reference librarians to acquire or to improve on are the foundation of virtual reference service provision. Virtual reference service is built on a technical infrastructure. The Internet, the World Wide Web, e-mail, Web chat, Instant Messaging, and all the associated supportive technology and software are the environment in which virtual reference librarians work. In “Virtual Reference Competencies: Acquire and Improve Technical Skills and Knowledge,” participants will engage in learning activities, supported by readings as well as lecture and discussion to acquire and improve the technical competencies required by effective virtual reference librarians.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
·assess and improve your ability to type on a computer keyboard and make use of other related input devices (mouse, trackball, touchpad, etc.)
·assess and improve your work with multiple software applications on a computer with multiple windows, to move appropriately between windows/applications, and to move quickly and mindfully between multiple activities chatting, searching print or electronic sources, etc. (minimal multi-tasking)
·evaluate and add to your detailed functional knowledge of how to access the Internet, use Internet e-mail, connect to Web sites
·increase your detailed functional knowledge of at least one Web browser
·cultivate your awareness of the basic technologies that any given virtual reference service user may or may not be using, have access to, or be limited by
·develop awareness of the chat software specifics for a given system you are going to be using then develop detailed functional knowledge of the specific chat software used by your library or other organization for chat reference
·cultivate awareness of how to connect to and chat through Web-based chat software, Internet messaging, etc.
·add to your awareness of the options for document or information delivery
INSTRUCTOR
Diane Kovacs, Kovacs Consulting
The instructor has been teaching virtual reference related concepts and skills online and in-person for more than 14 years. She is the author of The Virtual Reference Handbook: Interview and Information Delivery Techniques for the Chat and E-Mail Environments Neal-Schuman Publishers (2007) published concurrently in the United Kingdom by Facet Publishers (2007) and The Kovacs Guide to Electronic Library Collection Development: Essential Core Subject Collections, Selection Criteria, and Guidelines (Neal-Schuman, January 2004). Additional Biographical Information is available at http://www.kovacs.com/aboutus.html.
More information on Diane Kovacs
REGISTRATION
Registration for this seminar is now open. For additional information and a link to the online registration form, visit:
http://www.acrl.org/ala/acrl/acrlproftools/virtualref.cfm
ACRL and ALA members will receive a registration discount. The seminar is limited to 60 participants, so register early. Payment may be made by credit card or purchase order (PO) only.
ACRL member: $135
ALA member: $175
CACUL member: Can $195 (charges will be made in U.S. dollars)
Nonmember: $195
Student: $60
