Our Virtual Reference Training Camp: Testing the Players Before Signing Them On
This library team wanted to get into the live reference game, but it didn't want to go in unprepared. So these librarians lined up three of the major players in the field and gave them a real workout over several months. The authors explain who made their "final cut" and why.
by Tana Elias and Stef Morrill

Implementing Virtual Reference: Hollywood Technology in Real Life
Plenty of articles explain how reference librarians learn to use chat reference systems. But this one relates, from an administrative point of view, how the first virtual reference project ever undertaken in a law library went from idea to implementation. These authors detail why and how they made their choices.
by Roy Balleste and Gordon Russell

We Jumped on the Live Reference Bandwagon, and We Love the Ride!
To reach its absent reference customers, this group wanted to offer live help online. But it can be hard for a medium-sized library to offer such a resource-intensive service. So instead of playing solo, these librarians hopped up on the 24/7 Reference bandwagon and joined a collaborative service to beat the band!
by Glenda Schaake and Eleanor Sathan

Managing a Statewide Virtual Reference Service: How Q and A NJ Works
If you're wondering how it's possible to manage a collaborative project as complicated as statewide, 24/7 virtual reference, read this article on Q and A NJ. It asks all the right questions—and gives you the answers as well.
by Peter Bromberg

The View from the Top Left Corner
You Can't Disintermediate the Great Intermediaries!
by Michael Schuyler

The Systems Librarian
Ramblings on the Current Library Automation Scene
by Marshall Breeding

Online Treasures
Is the Reference Librarian Real or Virtual?
by Janet L. Balas

Digital Librarianship
Virtual Reference Service and Disservice
by Péter Jacsó

Coming Full Circle
Virtual Reference: What's in a Name?
by Andrew K. Pace

Editor's Notes
Here's Your Guide to VR; Use It to Stay Relevant
by Kathy Dempsey

Newsline

People & Places

ILS Marketplace: CIL's Quarterly Series on Library Automation Markets
April 2003: Special Libraries
by Pamela Cibbarelli

How to Contribute to CIL