Collaborative Marketing for Virtual Reference: The My Info Quest Experience

Avery, Beth Fuseler; Docherty, Karen; Lindbloom, Mary-Carol

doi:10.1080/02763877.2011.521737

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In 2005, Southeastern Louisiana University became one of the first U.S. academic libraries to foray into web-based SMS services by adopting an SMS reference software developed by the Australian company Altarama (Brannon, 2010;Hill et al, 2007). In 2009, the My Info Quest cooperative used Altarama's software to provide America's first nationwide text reference consortium for public and academic libraries (Avery et al, 2010). My Info Quest later switched to Text-a-Librarian, an SMS Reference interface provided by the American company Mosio (Luo & Weak, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Bielskas and Dreyer's (2013) practitioner handbook purposely combines IM and SMS for expediency but fails to recognize how the differences between these communication formats affect reference interactions. Other literature in the "Toolbox camp" includes Hill et al (2007), Stahr (2009), Avery et al (2010), Brooks and Zubarev (2012), and Shepherd and Korber (2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Redefining Virtual:

Gervasio

2014

International Journal of Digital Library Systems

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This article discusses how the unique nature of texting sets SMS apart from other virtual reference tools. Nearsynchronous, near-virtual, anonymous, and ubiquitous, texting blurs the lines between virtual and in-person communication. Drawing on the experiences of librarians at SUNY Purchase College and other public and academic libraries, this article addresses challenges and misconceptions surrounding SMS reference and suggests best practices for SMS reference interactions and staffing. Librarians are encouraged to explore new techniques like "mobile reference" or the "reference haiku" and return to long-standing practices like "saving the time of the user" and telephone ready reference. By embracing a mobile reference mentality and framing SMS reference as a hybrid between telephone, IM, and face-to-face reference, librarians can improve the quality of reference services and serve patrons at their point-of-need.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Redefining Virtual:

Gervasio

2014

International Journal of Digital Library Systems

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Jensen (2010) reflected upon his own involvement in MIQ and presented personal observations of MIQ's pros and cons. Avery et al (2010) discussed the marketing approaches employed by MIQ, focusing on how the collaborative helped member libraries publicize the service at the local level. To further contribute to the endeavor of sharing MIQ's experience with the professional community, this study seeks to build upon the existing work and explore MIQ's model from the management perspective.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Managing a text reference consortium: the My Info Quest experience

Weak

2012

Reference Services Review

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

PurposeThis paper aims to describe management and operational considerations for collaborative text reference services.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted in‐depth interviews with members of the My Info Quest (MIQ) management team. The paper reports on the interviews in the context of MIQ's operations as the first US nationwide, collaborative text reference service.FindingsMIQ is a non‐hierarchal organization that relies on frequent communication, enthusiastic and dedicated member librarians, and a collective sense of commitment. Challenges and lessons from MIQ's operations are discussed in the following areas: policies and procedures, staffing, service software, training, marketing, communicating and problem solving, and overall project operation.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper examines collaborative text reference service only from the management perspective. Future research should investigate other aspects of collaboratively providing text reference service.Practical implicationsThis paper will help libraries implement and manage collaborative text reference services. Ultimately it will contribute to the development of best practices for text reference service.Originality/valueText reference is the most recent reference development and it does not have a large body of literature. Current reports are primarily of a single library's experience. This paper reports on collaborative service provision. It is the only article to date that examines collaborative text reference service from the management perspective.

show abstract

Text reference service: Teens' perception and use

Weak

2013

Library & Information Science Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Collaborative Marketing for Virtual Reference: The My Info Quest Experience

Abstract: This article shares general information about the My Info Quest collaborative, explores publicity for the cooperative and how the public relations committee developed materials for participating libraries and the public, and details how marketing has occurred at the local level.

Cited by 7 publications

References 0 publications

Redefining Virtual:

Redefining Virtual:

Managing a text reference consortium: the My Info Quest experience

Text reference service: Teens' perception and use

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About