University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Teens Are from Neptune, Librarians Are from Pluto: An Analysis of Online Reference Transactions

Walter, Virginia A.; Mediavilla, Cindy

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/3482

Description

Title
Teens Are from Neptune, Librarians Are from Pluto: An Analysis of Online Reference Transactions
Author(s)
  • Walter, Virginia A.
  • Mediavilla, Cindy
Issue Date
2005
Keyword(s)
Children and digital resources
Abstract
As part of a project to evaluate the effectiveness of Tutor.com’s Live Homework Help service, the authors examined over 100 transcripts of online transactions between teens and the virtual reference librarians in California who connect students to Live Homework Help tutors. Using content analysis, the authors document and discuss the difference in online communication styles between teens and adults. In addition, the transactions are measured against Reference and User Services Association’s (RUSA) reference performance guidelines and are found to be severely lacking in the qualities required for effective reference service. Recommendations are made within the context of positive library service to young adults, including recommendations on how to make virtual reference encounters with teens more responsive to their homework needs. (from the article)
Publisher
Graduate School of Library and Information Science. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
ISSN
0024-2594
Type of Resource
text
Language
en
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/3482
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2005 Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

Owning Collections

Library Trends 54 (2) Fall 2005: Children's Access and Use of Digital Resources PRIMARY
Library Trends 54 (2) Fall 2005: Children's Access and Use of Digital Resources. Edited by Allison Druin