PLEASE EXCUSE ANY CROSS POSTINGS. ************************************************ CONFERENCE DEADLINE REMINDER ************************************************ Early bird registration ends *SEPTEMBER 15, 2001* for the Virtual Reference Desk 2001 Conference, "Setting Standards and Making it Real." The registration form is available online at: http://vrd.org/conferences/VRD2001/registration.shtml "Setting Standards and Making it Real" explores issues in delivering effective digital reference service in a variety of contexts and setting standards to ensure quality. Pre- and post-conference workshops focus on assessing service quality and building real-time reference services. The conference is hosted by the Information Institute of Syracuse, Syracuse University's School of Information Studies; the Information Institute at the School of Information Studies, Florida State University; and SOLINET. DATE: November 12-13, 2001 LOCATION: The Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Drive, Orlando, FL TOPICS: Standards for digital reference, real-time technologies; e-reference management issues; collaborative services; evaluation; training; and much more! SPEAKERS: * Clifford Lynch, Director of the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) - Keynote Speaker * Susan McGlamery, Coordinator for Reference Services for the Metropolitan Cooperative Library System * Nancy O'Neill, Principal Librarian for Reference Services, Santa Monica Public Library * Representatives from OCLC; AskERIC; Library of Congress; The University of Texas, Austin; The Open University (U.K.); Cleveland Public Library; The Virtual Reference Desk Project; Florida State University; King County Library System (WA); National Agricultural Library; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; The Boeing Company; National Library of Medicine; and many others! (See preliminary program at: http://vrd.org/conferences/VRD2001/program.shtml) WORKSHOPS: *Measuring & Assessing the Quality of Digital Reference Services* - Sunday, November 11, 9:00 a.m.4:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Information Use Management and Policy Institute at the School of Information Studies, Florida State University. Instructors: Charles R. McClure, Melissa Gross, and others. *Building a Real-Time Reference Service* - Wednesday, November 14, 9:00 a.m.12:00 p.m. Sponsored by SOLINET. Instructor: Susan McGlamery. DEADLINES AND FEES Fees are for 2-day conference. Registration deadline is October 31, 2001. **Early Bird Registration: $245 by SEPTEMBER 15** * Regular Rate: $275 * Groups of Ten or More: $225 * SOLINET Member Rate: $225 * Student Rate: $150. Registration form must include a letter from your department head confirming your full-time student status and a copy of your student ID. (See online registration form for pre- and post-conference workshop fees.) Please note that no on-site conference registration is available, and that seating is limited. Previous conferences have been sold out, so please register early. SPONSORS TO DATE: * The U.S. Department of Education * The National Library of Education's ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology * The Library of Congress * ALA RUSA * OCLC * Syracuse University's School of Information Studies Sponsorship opportunities and exhibit booths are still available. Contact: [log in to unmask] or see http://vrd.org/conferences/VRD2001/sponsorship.shtml The "Setting Standards and Making it Real" Conference is presented by the Virtual Reference Desk, a project of the U.S. Department of Education, operated by the Information Institute of Syracuse, Syracuse University. IMPORTANT URLs AND NUMBERS *Online conference registration form: http://vrd.org/conferences/VRD2001/registration.shtml *Accommodation information: http://vrd.org/conferences/VRD2001/Accommodations.shtml *General conference information: http://vrd.org/conferences/VRD2001/ *Contact information: [log in to unmask] or 800-464-9107 ************************************************************************ Abby Kasowitz Coordinator, Virtual Reference Desk Project [log in to unmask] www.vrd.org ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology/ Information Institute of Syracuse 315-443-3640 1-800-464-9107 *********************************************************************** ************************************************************************ VRD 2001 Conference: Setting Standards and Making it Real November 11-13, Orlando, FL http://vrd.org/conferences/VRD2001/ ************************************************************************