Digital reference interview

I like the idea of students having the ability to ask their TL questions via the network or Internet. I forsee that there would be challenges:

- Less opportunity for a reference interview (tying in with the next point): the TL is less likely to be able to narrow down the search criteria by asking the student (or maybe teacher) questions, unless they either send messages back and forth, or ask them to come to the library (defeating the purpose of the digital format to begin with).

- Time constraints: typed responses have a tendancy to take longer than verbal ones (in my experience anyway), particularly if questions need to be asked. Also, if the questions are not clear, time can be wasted looking for incorrect/unhelpful information. Not to mention the many (time wasting) distractions a computer holds at the best of times.

- Response time: It is not likely that the TL will be able to reply instantly - and when does a student ask a question that they do not want an instant answer to? Students are likely to get impatient and seek their own answers, leaving the TL wondering if there is a need to answer it after all.

Despite these things, I think the concept is viable. If the TL makes it clear that queries may not be answered straight away, and if this is important they should come straight to the library or talk to their teacher, then students should only use it in the right situation and most questions will still require a response. That is something the TL would have to play by ear. These days, when technology is such a natural thing to turn to, I think it is going to be important for TLs to be able to help student via ICT, whilst still promoting the importance of face to face contact.