Vol 19 | No 2 | Spring 13
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Reference Consultations from a Distance

As library collections are increasingly digital and accessible remotely, students and faculty often prefer to do their research without entering the brick and mortar library. The Libraries have implemented a new screen sharing service that allows librarians to conduct in-depth reference consultations from a distance.

The UCI Libraries have been on the forefront of exploring new ways to provide research assistance when and where our patrons need it.
The UCI Libraries have been on the forefront of exploring new ways to provide research assistance when and where our patrons need it. In the summer of 2012 the Libraries developed a pilot to experiment with Google+ Hangouts and Join.me to provide research consultations online. This new software allows librarians to share computer screens with students in remote locations to help them find the information and answers they need quickly and conveniently. With Google+ Hangouts and Join.me students can verbally converse with the librarian, view the same screen by means of screen sharing, and communicate via the chat feature if needed. By adding these new tools to our online reference services we have created a new avenue for users to consult with a librarian.

ImageThe feedback from students and librarians has been positive in that there is no noticeable difference between in-person or online research consultations. The ability to share computer screens in addition to using a webcam to meet with our students provides the means to share the same resources and collections we would in an in-person meeting and still connect on a personal level.

For more information, contact Danielle Kane, Research Librarian for Emerging Technologies at 949.824.2024 or kaned@uci.edu.