The Challenge of Virtual Reference

Blythe McCoy, a Thomson West Librarian Relations Manager, gave a detailed presentation on virtual reference. She pointed out the differences between virtual patrons and in-person patrons and the skills it takes to serve both kinds. She also covered various kinds of virtual reference, from phone and email questions to multiple virtual reference software programs. She encouraged the audience to share their own experiences with different types of virtual reference which gave a real-world twist to her talk.