collaborative enterprise instant messaging at ALA midwinter - part 5, collaborative enterprise IM pilot project proposal

Sunday January 21, 2007 at ALA Midwinter in Seattle, I hosted an unofficial event, Collaborative Virtual Reference and Enterprise Instant Messaging. This is the fifth and final part in a series describing what I talked about and what the results of the meeting were.

See parts one, two , three and four for background.

Proposal

After the presentation, which consisted of the material in the four blog entries linked above, I proposed that libraries get together to provide collaborative virtual reference service to patrons both on the web and on commercial IM networks.

See the attached file for details of the proposal.

Results

One person said that there wasn't enough information for libraries to go forward with a pilot project at this time.

I had created a proof of concept that is no longer operational, and some attendees wanted to see a product in action.

Someone suggested an IMLS Leadership Grant could get this project started. Grant applications are due March 1, 2007.

One person suggested that open source software is most successful when the product has wide applicability.

Additionally, some libraries may be restricted by law or policy in creating open source software. In Canada, anything a state-sponsored library creates is property of the crown.

Several people expressed the concern that it is easier for libraries to write checks to contract for services than it is for us to build and support open source software.

Someone offered that library school students would be very interested and have the energy to help build this service.

One person said that it was important that a collaborative reference model of the future not just be a one-to-one service. Patrons get the best help when multiple librarians can help them.

Next steps

An exploratory group was formed to find out in more concrete terms:

• How much the service will cost
• What software to use
• Who will take fiscal responsibility