1. Virtual Embedding: Where Have We
Been, Where Are We Going?
A systemized review conducted by…
Susan Fowler, MLIS
Washington University St. Louis
Christina L. Wissinger, MS, MLIS
Johns Hopkins University
2. Where have we been?
Physical Virtual: We have been embedding librarians in
the physical environment of the patron since 1967. Patrons Virtually Embedded Resources Virtually Embedded Services
have retreated into their own virtual environments. Reaching
out to patrons now requires that we present library resources Reference questions via…
and services in their virtual environment. We conducted a Reading Lists in Web CT
• Facebook
systemized review to reveal what libraries have done so far • Web CT - discussion
and gain insight to the future. Link resolvers to articles and boards
books • Electronic Medical
Communication Flow, Past … Promotions/Announcements for
Records
Link resolvers to inter-library loan
Patron classes, etc...
requests
Walk in
Librarian /
Letter/e
Website
Mail
Embedding Technology: most virtual embedding
has been through course management software and
Phone
Communication Flow, Present… department/community based websites
Fax
Patron Librarian / Website
Twitter Twitter
Insatnt
Message
Facebook Facebook
Web CT Web CT
IM IM
eMail eMail
Website Website
Pager Pager
Blog Blog
Wiki Wiki
Phone Phone
Walk in Walk in
3. Where are we going?
Virtually Embedded Services Communication Flow, Future…
•Information RX request in the EMR
•Library service aps for mobile Twitter Twitter
devices Facebook Facebook
•IM in Department Intranet Damn it Jim, I Web CT Web CT
have great IM IM
•Library Smart Button in NCBI suite Translation eMail
eMail
of databases resources but and Website
Website
•Tool bar add in linked to library I still need a Pager Distribution Pager
librarian! Center
services Blog Blog
Wiki Wiki
Phone Phone
Walk in Walk in
Take Away Message:
Now that we have successfully
delivered resources virtually at the
point of need it’s critical to embed
services into the patron’s virtual
environment.
Set your
phasers to fun,
we’re going to
teleport some
librarians!
