A New Challenge for Intermediary-Client Communication:

Abstract

Electronic netwaks provide libraries with new opporhmities to deliver services, such as reference services, to users who now find it difficult or inconvenient to visit the library. If remote reference services are to become common, it is necessary f a the profession to prepare now by identifying problems and benefits for both clients and reference intermediaries. The library schools at the University of Maryland and at Long Island University are engaged in a cooperative research and teaching project to identify factors that determine success or failure in provision of remote electronic reference services and to develop effective methods to educate and train reference intermediaries to work in this environment.