The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Library Network's (VALNET) Virtual Reference Service—Librarians On Call

Abstract

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) libraries have a successful e-mail virtual reference service that can serve as a model for other groups of solo librarians. The Librarians On Call (LOC) program provides back-up reference coverage for the VA's many solo librarians and library technicians when their librarians are not available during regularly scheduled hours of operation. Usage data indicate the service is used by many types of health professionals to answer a variety of types of reference questions. This article examines the history and operations of the LOC program and discusses how it supports the VA's library network.

Keywords:

• electronic mail systems
• electronic reference service
• reference service
• virtual reference service

Notes

This article is not subject to U.S. Copyright Law.

Comments and suggestions should be sent to the Column Editors: Dixie A. Jones (E-mail: [email protected]) and Paul Blobaum (E-mail: [email protected]).