Abigail McLinden and Alyssa Michales, Group 4.

Overall this assignment was a fun challenge and a helped me get a better view of some of the
more everyday interactions I’d have with patrons.
I don’t think I got a good idea of chat vs email for reference from this assignment. The way
that Alyssa and I were online at the same time sending messages back and forth, email ended up
functioning a lot more like chat. In a previous assignment, I think in another course, I had to ask
reference questions to real librarians in both functions. I got a better idea the
strengths/weaknesses there.
Chat is faster, but often has more limited hours because a librarian has to be there to answer
your questions. I think in that one assignment I sent an email off past closing hours, and got an
answer back very shortly after the library opened—even before I’d waken up to check my email
even.
I know too that chat is more susceptible to wi-fi difficulties. If the internet goes out for five
minutes, the chat’s cancelled. Email also requires an internet connection, but it’s easier to pick
up where it left off if something happens.
I think I’m going to need to get better at not assuming I know what the patron meant and
running off of that. I tend to be someone who guesses what people are trying to say in general
which isn’t always helpful, especially with mentally challenged patients. Part of it here in virtual
reference is nerves from not knowing what I’m doing. I’m glad my first interview was with a
mock one with another student, I can note my worst flaws in a not-job environment.
We didn’t really do anything where we actually sent each other things for the requested
topics, so I probably will need to work on knowing the collection and what other kinds of
information is out there I can recommend to my patron.
One thing I am proud of is when Alyssa needed help with HTML for her computer class. I
managed to say ‘here’s a program but I can help too!’ without sounding like I was brushing her
off. At least I think I managed that. Social grace is not my strong suit.
I don’t think I did that great asking questions of Alyssa. I’d make assumptions and,
especially with the sunflowers, I’d assume completely wrong. I feel like I possibly got a bit too
much information up front in the computer class one, so I didn’t get good practice asking the
right questions. I’m really not sure what would count as my ‘best’ question—I asked the best one
in my mind every time, it’s just looking back I think that they weren’t that great.
Overall I like email better I think. This assignment didn’t give me any reasons to pick one or
the other, but the previous assignment I mentioned earlier did. Mostly I don’t mind the slower
response time, and when I did the project email gave me a better feeling of speaking to an actual
person. The chat service was perfectly functional, but I got no sense of the person I was talking
to being a person. Email did give me that more so.
Alyssa Michales, Abigail McLinden 70P-Fall 2020-Intro Reference Sources & Serv
November 26, 2020 at 6:47pm

Thank you!

Abigail McLinden, Alyssa Michales 70P-Fall 2020-Intro Reference Sources & Serv
November 26, 2020 at 6:46pm

Crafts and cooking, sure thing! Let me see what I can turn up.

 Alyssa Michales, Abigail McLinden 70P-Fall 2020-Intro Reference Sources & Serv
November 26, 2020 at 6:43pm

That all sounds great! Also what crafts I can make and cooking with sunflowers.

 Abigail McLinden, Alyssa Michales 70P-Fall 2020-Intro Reference Sources & Serv
November 26, 2020 at 6:39pm

Sure thing! So visual references, and some uses and information on how to grow them. I think I
know some items in our collection that should fit those criteria. Is there anything else you need I
can help you with?

 Alyssa Michales, Abigail McLinden 70P-Fall 2020-Intro Reference Sources & Serv
November 26, 2020 at 6:35pm

Thanks, that would be great for decorating ideas! I need some uses for them as well as how to
grow.

 Abigail McLinden, Alyssa Michales 70P-Fall 2020-Intro Reference Sources & Serv
November 26, 2020 at 6:31pm

Oh that sounds lovely, congratulations! Would you like references with plenty of images to base
your decorating on?

 Alyssa Michales, Abigail McLinden 70P-Fall 2020-Intro Reference Sources & Serv
November 26, 2020 at 6:29pm

Well I am opening a shop and the theme is going to be sunflowers.

 Abigail McLinden, Alyssa Michales 70P-Fall 2020-Intro Reference Sources & Serv
November 26, 2020 at 6:28pm

Hi! My name is Abby and I'd be happy to help you with that today. Are you just getting into
gardening?

 Alyssa Michales, Abigail McLinden 70P-Fall 2020-Intro Reference Sources & Serv
November 26, 2020 at 6:26pm

Hey! I am a gardener and need some information on sunflowers.

Alyssa Michales, Abigail McLinden 70P-Fall 2020-Intro Reference Sources & Serv
November 24, 2020 at 6:21pm

Happy to help!

 Abigail McLinden, Alyssa Michales 70P-Fall 2020-Intro Reference Sources & Serv
November 24, 2020 at 6:20pm

Nah, but I do like the sound of some videos. Thanks so much for the help!

 Alyssa Michales, Abigail McLinden 70P-Fall 2020-Intro Reference Sources & Serv
November 24, 2020 at 6:19pm

Great! I can help you with all of that. Let's start by looking in our catalog for books and other
materials on the history of licorice, including all the different varieties, I can also gather you a
few links for recipes and how to videos on recipes using licorice. Would you like me to find
materials with plenty of illustrations?

 Abigail McLinden, Alyssa Michales 70P-Fall 2020-Intro Reference Sources & Serv
November 24, 2020 at 6:14pm

Yes please! And the flavors it comes in too.

 Alyssa Michales, Abigail McLinden 70P-Fall 2020-Intro Reference Sources & Serv
November 24, 2020 at 6:11pm

Ok, so you will need information on the history of licorice and some materials that include
recipes using licorice, correct? Will you need a recipe for licorice?

 Abigail McLinden, Alyssa Michales 70P-Fall 2020-Intro Reference Sources & Serv
November 24, 2020 at 6:08pm

It's for a report, my teacher in my culinary class wants us to make a dessert and do a short paper
on it.

 Alyssa Michales, Abigail McLinden 70P-Fall 2020-Intro Reference Sources & Serv
November 24, 2020 at 6:07pm

I can do that for you, will you be using this information for a report or just for fun?

 Abigail McLinden, Alyssa Michales 70P-Fall 2020-Intro Reference Sources & Serv
November 24, 2020 at 6:05pm
Hi Alyssa! I need some information about when and where it was first made, and how to make it.

 Alyssa Michales, Abigail McLinden 70P-Fall 2020-Intro Reference Sources & Serv
November 24, 2020 at 6:03pm

Hello Abigail, this is Alyssa with the Alexandria Monroe Public library, I'd be happy to help you
find some information on licorice. What kind of information would you like?

 Abigail McLinden, Alyssa Michales 70P-Fall 2020-Intro Reference Sources & Serv
November 24, 2020 at 5:54pm

Hey! I need some information on licorice.

Hangouts Chats
Hello this Alyssa Michales with the Alexandria Public Library. How can I help you today?
Hey, can you help me find something on Abraham Lincoln?
Sure I can do that. What type of information are you looking for?
I need to know how he looked and acted and dressed and stuff. It's for a school play.
Are you looking for written material or links to videos and documentaries?
Videos and pictures would be good I think.
Okay so you will need information on Abraham Lincoln and how people dressed in the Victorian
era? Is that correct?
No just him. I'm playing him in the play.
Okay! I can gather that information for you. Lets start by looking in our catalog. I'll be sure to
look for material with plenty of pictures. Is there anything else I can help you with?
Nah I think that's good. Thanks.
Okay happy to help, please feel free to contact us if you need further information. We are online
until 11pm. 
Sure, thanks.

NEXT CHAT
Hey, I'm 16 currently in high school and am beginning a web class. I was wondering if I could
get some information on when the internet was started and computer languages. 
Hi! Thanks for contacting our library, I'm Abby and I'll be helping you today. Do you need this
for a paper?
I just need it for information on my class. I also need homework help 
Sure thing, we have a homework help program at the library! I'll send you a link for you to read
up on it and sign up. If you need something more immediate I'd be glad to help you find
resources as well.
Thank you. I am having troubles with HTML attributes, would that help me?
Yes, when you sign up you can tell what you're struggling with and they'll make sure to get you a
tutor who can help with that. In the meantime I can find you find some information on HTML
too. Do you need an introduction or something more advanced?
Thanks! I need an introduction on learning about HTML. 
I gotcha! We've got resources for that available in our collection. Is there anything else I can help
you with?
That was all, thank you !
You're welcome!