The Michigan Virtual Reference Conference was a one-time, one-day conference exploring all aspects of virtual reference services in libraries. The conference was held in honor of the 10th anniversary of the Michigan Research Help Now Collaborative, and was co-sponsored by Research Help Now and the Eastern Michigan University Library. The event included a variety of peer reviewed sessions by academic librarians on topics related to virtual reference.
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Research Help Now!, this article was written. It provides an overview of the collaborative history, outlining key events in the life of the organization:
9:00 - 9:30
Registration (Library Lobby) and Coffee Reception (Carillon Room, 3rd floor)
9:30 - 9:45
Welcome & Introductions
10:00 - 10:50 Concurrent Sessions:
Texting Reference: What is Success? - Charles Page II, Lansing Community College
Accessing the Library Through VR Services - Karen Liston, Wayne State University
11:00 - 11:50 Concurrent Sessions:
Making it Prosper: The Role of Marketing in Developing a Successful VR Service - Stephanie Davis, Jackson College
with Boosting Your VR Use - Kelli Herm, Lansing Community College
Student Desk Assistants vs. Professional Librarians: How do Their Chat Transcripts Compare? - Linda Rich & Kate Najacht, Bowling Green State University
12:00 - 1:00
Lunch
1:00 - 1:50 Concurrent Sessions:
Don't Forget to Smile: Utilizing Soft Skills within the VR Reference Transaction - Don Boozer, Cleveland Public Library
Survey Says . . . . What User Comments and Surveys Say about Research Help Now - Kelli Herm, Lansing Community College
2:00 - 2:50 Concurrent Sessions:
Negotiating Instruction in the Chat Environment - Sara Memmott & Lisa Klopfer, Eastern Michigan University
Ask Us! at Baker College: Best Practices for LibAnswers - Patrick Mullane & Tessa Betts, Baker College
Gamestorming VR - Suzanne Bernsten, Lansing Community College
3:00 - 4:00
RHN Annual Meeting - Room 300