Virtual Reference Staff Role Evaluation (when you were
role-playing the patron)
Name of Student Who Played Staff Role: MCLP-Ask a Librarian
(live chat)
When you contacted the student to role-play with you, did they
respond quickly, arrange a time, and follow through? Please
comment.
I contacted the librarian at 1:10pm on 3/20/14. We were finished
by 1:45pm.Did the student indicate in communications what kinds of
resources they would be prepared to demonstrate and what library to
use (in time)?
N/ADid the interaction demonstrate that the student was prepared
and ready to answer your question/s? Please comment.
I first thought that I had asked too hard of a question, because
it took a while for the librarian to answer me, but I found that
that they just lost contact (maybe something with the
software?).Did the technology work smoothly? Please elaborate.
We lost contact once, for about 30 minutes. I also sent an email
of the transcript to myself, but the first half was cut off, and I
noticed the time was 3 hours different than the time the chat
actually took place.If you were a real patron, asking the question
you chose, would you have felt something like screen sharing would
have been helpful in providing the answer? Please elaborate on why
or why not.
I dont think the screen sharing would have made any difference
in the outcome of the answer. It wouldnt have made it any easier to
find or any easier for the librarian to relay to information to
me.Please share any other observations on the experience.
The live chat is ok. However, sometimes technology has its
glitches and can make things take longer than necessary. But
overall it was a good experience.Your name as Patron and
Peer-evaluator: Teresa Howard
