The Virtual Reference Training (VRT) queue is a small corner of the POWER Library - Chat with a Librarian (CWAL) service, designed specifically for MLIS students to introduce them to virtual reference and one of the software platforms used to provide it.
Chat with a Librarian is the state's virtual reference service, connecting all Pennsylvanians to reference, research, and general information help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a service of the Pennsylvania Department of Education - Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and is provided as part of the PA POWER Library suite of online library resources.
The VRT queue is an isolated subset of the CWAL service, with no connections to the service's statewide and global services - allowing students to experience virtual reference in a specialized environment. Within the VRT queue, students will have the ability to participate in virtual reference as either a "patron" or a "librarian", with access to both the patron-facing chat widget and the librarian-facing virtual reference software.
Since this is a live environment, students are expected to interact with the service in a professional and respectful manner.
This project is made possible in part by Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and
through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Library Access funds administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Commonwealth Libraries.
The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this website do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services or the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
