Ellen talked about the VOCERA device which is a Wifi 'badge' which means that libraries can provide a roving reference service rather than a static, physical reference desk.
Staff can basically roam the shelves looking for people to help rather than waiting for people to approach the desk for help.
'Staff need to learn to stroll rather than stride'
A number of US public libraries are using the vocera devices to provide reference services.
- Pasadena Public Library
- Orange County
- King County
- Santa Monica
Each badge costs approx. US$400
As at Jan 08, no Australian libraries using the system
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Seems suited to large, multi storey libraries rather than CoBLS' libraries. Can see it being useful in say, the Baillieu Library, where users don't want to traipse down three flights to ask a reference librarian.
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