LIBR 246-12: Web 2.0 and Social Networking Tools (Fall 2008)

What do you think are the most important features any virtual reference service should have?

There are three things a virtual reference service should have to be effective.

The first is a good reference librarian. If you have a mediocre reference librarian, no matter what you else you have for virtual services will only be mediocre. Technology can only enhance, you still need a good base to provide good service. I think that is forgotten sometimes.

It is funny. When I first heard of delicious is was a way for you to take your bookmarks from one computer to the next. Moreover, it has evolved so much since then. A mean it is almost, if not communal on how it is today. People are tagging with each other, building groups, sharing websites. Even libraries are using social bookmarks as if not an alternative, at the very least a supplement to the catalog.