1. Ask A Librarian in the Blackboard Environment
Point of Need:
Ask A Librarian
in the Blackboard Environment

2. The Problem Ever-increasing use of Blackboard on our campus
Undergraduates unaware of or unable to find research assistance and resources
Library needs a service “toehold” in Blackboard

3. Digital Reference Services
Service is already extant, staffed, reliable
Easy enough to provide a quick solution within Blackboard
But more interesting solutions possible in the near future

4. The Plan: Start with easy solutions and work our way up
Pick a defined user group to begin the project
Look for partnerships to help in the future

5. UIC Blackboard Environment
Default appearance and functionality defined by campus computing (ACCC)
Instructors can then edit, reformat, and add on as needed
Initial step was to create a Library test site, summer of 2003

6. UIC Library Blackboard Test Site
Link to Ask A Librarian Service
Go to live black board now...if no access, use canned
Here is the live UIC version – this is the module that I have set up for our practice purposes.
Show off some of the features. “tour” sidebar.

7. Phase 1: Simple External “target”
Spawns a new window with our existing service point

8. Existing Library Email Form

9. Inelegant Solution
Requires “micro level” (i.e., class-by-class) work by the instructor to add it
Confusingly takes users out of the Blackboard environment
No way to know who is using it

10. New Partnerships: OCLC
At this point, we became involved in a “research project” with OCLC
Wanted to explore the feasibility of integrating their digital reference software, Questionpoint, directly into CMS
Around 12 institutions would act as testers, beginning fall 2003

11. New Partnerships: LINKS
Also needed a discrete user group for our next phase
LINKS program for incoming freshman
Medium-sized group of classes, with built-in library instruction component

12. Phase 2 Details
OCLC and UIC created digital reference forms that matched the Blackboard interface
UIC customized forms for each LINKS Blackboard site
New forms would capture data on use of new interface

13. Phase 2: Blackboard “Mimic”
Spawns a new window that shares Blackboard appearance

14. Mimicked Interface …but not actually “in” Blackboard
and Chat tabs…

15. Behind the Scenes
Javascripting handles movement of the question to our queue, and let’s us identify the course it came from

16. More Elegant Solution
Seamless interface - user sees no difference in systems
We get more information and use statistics about the patron
We get our “toehold” in Blackboard

17. Micro Vs. Macro But this is still a “micro level” solution
Need to be able to offer seamless integration without having to create forms for every class
Integrated access is the next step

18. The Future
Integrated access for UIC will come first via the default inclusion of a set of generic, “mimicked” digital reference forms at the campus level
And later, we hope, through OCLC (and other vendors) making “building block” additions that are completely integrated with Blackboard

19. Contact Information
Scott Collard,
Helen Georgas,
Ask A Librarian: