Electronic Reference
Linda Johnson
University of New Hampshire
Depository Library Conference
October 21, 2002
Introduction
* History
* Why
* Survey Results
* How
* Email
* Live Chat
Introduction, continued
* Checklist
* Advantages/Disadvantages
* Future
* Bibliography
History
* Personal email
* Ask Jeeves
* Ask a Librarian
Why
* More & more information in electronic form
* User expectations of using the internet to answer questions
* Fewer users coming into the library
* 24/7 culture
* Distance education
Survey
* GovDoc-L query
* "Ask a Librarian"
*  General reference
* Offering for some time
* Not overwhelmed
* Questions often about archives or genealogy


How
* Personal email
* Email
* Live Chat
* Software designed or adapted for electronic reference
University of New Hampshire
* Recent service
* Replace department hours ?
* Checklist
* Advantages
* Disadvantages
Future
* Publicize
* Evaluate
* Expand or adjust
* Live chat?