QuestionPoint: Collaboration between the Library of Congress and the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC): An Update

Abstract

QuestionPoint which the Library of Congress and OCLC have collaborated is a shared global reference network responding to rapid progress in the Internet and changing information needs by the people. It also develops versatile electronic tools that could serve as the foundation for an online reference desk inside libraries.
QuestionPoint was initiated under the pilot project named Collaborative Digital Reference Desk (CDRS) by the Library of Congress in 1998. Also OCLC explored the method for online reference services among library concertia inside the US. With the same objective of virtual reference networks the both organizations formally launched the QuestionPoint in 2002. This article introduces what things are going on, the updates. First it describes two components, i.e., local online reference network and global reference network. The professional community, including community center which acquires reference requests, cooperating groups located in other than the US, and enhancements including the knowledge database, language interfaces, library user survey are mentioned. It also describes the case where QuestionPoint is involved in Ask-a-Librarian service in the Library of Congress.