Chat Reference Referral Strategies: Making a Connection, or Dropping the Ball?

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Title: Chat Reference Referral Strategies: Making a Connection, or Dropping the Ball?
Authors: Dempsey, Paula R.1 dempseyp@uic.edu
Source: College & Research Libraries. Jul2019, Vol. 80 Issue 5, p674-693. 20p.
Subject Terms: *Academic libraries, *Graduate teaching assistants, *Librarians, Reference interviews (Library science), Specialists
Abstract: The study analyzes how chat reference providers refer patrons to subject specialists in 467 interactions from two years at a university library. Qualitative analysis showed variation in how referrals are presented: as an option versus a recommendation, putting follow-up in the hands of patrons versus librarians, and apologizing versus promoting benefits. Professional librarians referred more questions to specialists, framed more referrals as benefits, and sent more transcripts ("tickets") than graduate assistants or paraprofessionals did. Findings show correlations between patrons' positive responses to referrals and the extent of the reference interview and positive framing of the referral, but not the attempt to assist before referring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of College & Research Libraries is the property of American Library Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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DbLabel: Education Research Complete
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PubType: Academic Journal
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  Data: Chat Reference Referral Strategies: Making a Connection, or Dropping the Ball?
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Dempsey%2C+Paula+R%2E%22">Dempsey, Paula R.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> dempseyp@uic.edu</i>
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+libraries%22">Academic libraries</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Graduate+teaching+assistants%22">Graduate teaching assistants</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Librarians%22">Librarians</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reference+interviews+%28Library+science%29%22">Reference interviews (Library science)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Specialists%22">Specialists</searchLink>
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  Data: The study analyzes how chat reference providers refer patrons to subject specialists in 467 interactions from two years at a university library. Qualitative analysis showed variation in how referrals are presented: as an option versus a recommendation, putting follow-up in the hands of patrons versus librarians, and apologizing versus promoting benefits. Professional librarians referred more questions to specialists, framed more referrals as benefits, and sent more transcripts ("tickets") than graduate assistants or paraprofessionals did. Findings show correlations between patrons' positive responses to referrals and the extent of the reference interview and positive framing of the referral, but not the attempt to assist before referring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of College & Research Libraries is the property of American Library Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.5860/crl.80.5.674
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      – SubjectFull: Graduate teaching assistants
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      – SubjectFull: Librarians
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      – SubjectFull: Reference interviews (Library science)
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      – TitleFull: Chat Reference Referral Strategies: Making a Connection, or Dropping the Ball?
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              Text: Jul2019
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