Digital reference#Chat using commercial applications
Chat information refers to a digital reference when using chat reference questions of various kinds can be answered in a synchronous manner.
Chat shapes
A distinction is now technically three chat forms:
- The Internet Relay Chat ( IRC), which was developed in the eighties and a private chat server and client software required.
- The relatively uncomplicated web chat where the chat software, for example, already integrated through browser plug-ins in the HTML pages.
- Instant Messenger that emerged in the nineties and where the chat is not listed in a public channel, but only between those who have the appropriate software installed on your computer.
Chat information in libraries
The chat information belongs within library to digital information ( digital reference service ) in which it is organized information service of a library that uses the communication channels of the Internet. In addition to the three forms IRC, web chat and instant messenger partly so-called Web Contact Center are used, the software has been adapted in addition to its usual application in business and the specific requirements of library needs. These include a large number of individual applications which offer various courses of action - for example, the function of the co-browsing, with the opening of the librarian websites on the user's computer and can thus show him searches. This is of particular importance in the possible development of information literacy.
History
In particular, by changing search behavior of the user due to the rapid development of the Internet it has become increasingly important that libraries responded to this digital information needs by an appropriate range of electronic services to continue to be perceived as information providers. One of these services is also the chat information that is made available to libraries in the U.S. since the late 90s. This service makes it possible for the first time, provide a form of synchronous communication via the Internet. Through the chat often complained temporal delay as the lack of interactivity of digital information can be avoided for the first time as well. In Germany began in 2000 with the chat information as part of the Digital Reference Service. So far, this service is used only in university libraries. The first of the now eleven university libraries using the chat, was the university library Trier. It was followed by the Technical University of Hamburg -Harburg beginning of 2002, the Library and Information Centre, University of Oldenburg in March 2002, the library of the University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg in July 2003 and the Saxon State Library - State and University Library Dresden in October 2004.
In North Rhine -Westphalia is located in area of focus of the German chat information. Here have been six university libraries to chat. The first chat information began in October 2001 in Dortmund University Library. This was followed by the end of 2001, the University Library Wuppertal, in December 2003, the University and Regional Library Münster, March 2004 Bielefeld University Library and, finally, in January 2005, the University and State Library and the University Library Dusseldorf Bochum.
In addition, there is also a chat information at the headquarters of the Hessian Library Information System ( HeBIS ) but only matters relating to the service of HeBIS answered, while all libraries make any thematic restriction of their information, as well as in the German Internet Library.