Individual Article:
A pilot program provides reference service via the Internet
The Government Publications & Maps Department now offers online reference service through an innovative pilot program coordinated by the Illinois State Library, in collaboration with Northwestern University, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Kent State University, and the University of New Mexico. The service is available to faculty and other users at http://govtinfo.org.
Anyone with Internet access can use the “Government Information Online” service to ask questions or seek information about state and federal government resources and services. A chat reference service is available at certain times during the week, and an e-mail option at other times. A librarian at one of 30 participating libraries will respond in real time, or will refer the user to a library especially qualified to handle the question. E-mail questions are answered by reference specialists within 48 hours.
More and more researchers are seeking information about government programs, services, and policies, and this virtual reference service provides them with access to libraries and reference specialists throughout the country. The pilot program is an excellent supplement to existing reference services in the Government Publications & Maps Department.
Beth Clausen