Search

This study examines how reference librarians use cloud computing technologies, particularly the general-purposed, consumer-oriented software as service (SaaS) tools, to support and facilitate their work. A survey was conducted and the findings suggest that librarians use these tools for a variety of purposes, ranging from facilitating internal communication and collaborative work, to supporting information literacy instruction. Advantages and disadvantages of the tools were also identified. This study will help interested librarians gain a concrete understanding of how to benefit from the increasingly popular cloud computing technologies and thus make more informed decisions when migrating to the cloud. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article will address the problems of developing and implementing a federated searching system and the involvement by reference staff expected to use, teach, and promote it. Implementation of federated search usually begins with developing basic technical functionality and then progresses to increased participation by public service librarians and system users in order to refine searching interfaces and content retrieval mechanisms and display. From the reference perspective, some impediments occurred in utilizing the federated search system since reference staff did not participate in the development of the product; since there was resistance to the concept of the product by instructional staff; and since performance inconsistencies and the use of a complex interface hampered functionality. This article will address the evolution of organizational stakeholder participation in the development of the federated search system at the Loyola Notre Dame Library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet Reference Services Quarterly is introducing a new column that will focus on current developments and practice concerns in chat reference. This first entry gives some background on the column's origins, and details the directions it will take. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]