Chapter 1. Self-Assessment Activities

Chapter 2. Learning Activities

Chapter 3. Learning Activities

Common Chat and E-mail  Abbreviations, Emoticons and Emoting

Chapter 4. Learning Activities

Core Reference Sources and Tools

The Virtual Reference Handbook: Interview and Information Delivery Techniques for the Chat and E-Mail Environments

by Kovacs, Diane K. Neal-Schuman Publishers (2007) published concurrently in the United Kingdom by Facet Publishers (2007)

Chapter 1. Reference Competencies Self-Assessment Activity

Definition of terms used in describing learning goals and performance objectives. Select the level of competency that you feel best describes your personal level of communications competency and then click "Generate Self-Assessment Report". This will generate a report you can print out and save to evalute yourself again after you read and complete the activities in Chapter 4.

Reference Competencies (R)

bluearrowR1.1 how to be approachable, to maintain and project a welcoming and enthusiastic reference service attitude through text-based communications
I can Demonstrate Awareness of  I have Understanding of I have the Ability to  I have Detailed Functional Knowledge of
bluearrowR1.2 how, when, and why to apply organizational policies relevant to any given user of a specific virtual reference service
I can Demonstrate Awareness of  I have Understanding of I have the Ability to  I have Detailed Functional Knowledge of
bluearrowR1.3 ready-reference sources of information, such as encyclopedias, almanacs, indices, bibliographies and standard reference works in print and electronic formats
I can Demonstrate Awareness of  I have Understanding of I have the Ability to  I have Detailed Functional Knowledge of
bluearrowR1.4 the best or core reference sources available in print and electronic formats, and of the range of information resources that may be used in the delivery of reference services for selected subjects and general reference
I can Demonstrate Awareness of  I have Understanding of I have the Ability to  I have Detailed Functional Knowledge of
bluearrowR1.5 how to conduct good reference interviews, to analyze reference questions using knowledge of the structures, organization, and accessibility of information in print and electronic formats
I can Demonstrate Awareness of  I have Understanding of I have the Ability to  I have Detailed Functional Knowledge of
bluearrowR1.6 how, when, and why to evaluate information resources for their appropriateness in level, scope, and format for a given user
I can Demonstrate Awareness of  I have Understanding of I have the Ability to  I have Detailed Functional Knowledge of
bluearrowR1.7 how to develop effective and flexible search strategies including keyword and Boolean searching
I can Demonstrate Awareness of  I have Understanding of I have the Ability to  I have Detailed Functional Knowledge of
bluearrowR1.8 the scope and limitations of Web search engines
I can Demonstrate Awareness of  I have Understanding of I have the Ability to  I have Detailed Functional Knowledge of
bluearrowR1.9 how to perform advanced searches in at least one major Web search engine
I can Demonstrate Awareness of  I have Understanding of I have the Ability to  I have Detailed Functional Knowledge of
bluearrowR1.10 the scope and limitations of and the ability to use freely accessible Web Reference Tools
I can Demonstrate Awareness of  I have Understanding of I have the Ability to  I have Detailed Functional Knowledge of
bluearrowR1.11 how and why to evaluate information quality of Web published information, but also to think critically about all sources of information
I can Demonstrate Awareness of  I have Understanding of I have the Ability to  I have Detailed Functional Knowledge of
bluearrowR1.12 the fee-based or licensed databases accessible to both the virtual reference librarian and any given user of virtual reference services
I can Demonstrate Awareness of  I have Understanding of I have the Ability to  I have Detailed Functional Knowledge of
bluearrowR1.13 how and where to search local holdings information for print and electronic resources
I can Demonstrate Awareness of  I have Understanding of I have the Ability to  I have Detailed Functional Knowledge of
bluearrowR1.14 how and where to search the catalogs of other libraries and library organizations
I can Demonstrate Awareness of  I have Understanding of I have the Ability to  I have Detailed Functional Knowledge of
bluearrowR1.15 how and when to apply the available options for appropriate information referrals
I can Demonstrate Awareness of  I have Understanding of I have the Ability to  I have Detailed Functional Knowledge of
Additional comments or ideas: :

(Please include your name and e-mail address if you would like feedback from the author/teacher - otherwise this self-assessment report is completely anonymous)

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