RLUK

QuestionPoint is an electronic reference system, supporting Web-based collaborative virtual reference services on a global basis.  It is the result of a partnership between OCLC and the Library of Congress, and originated in the Library of Congress Collaborative Digital Reference Service (CDRS). The global network of QP users is formed mainly of library consortia, with a few independent participants.  QuestionPoint provides libraries with tools to offer an asynchronous form-based enquiry service, and a real-time 'chat' interface.  It also provides a global 'Knowledge Base' of answered questions, and the facility to create a local version at the consortial level.  QP libraries can route enquiries between each other to leverage collection strengths and expertise.  An algorithm assigns routed enquiries according to member library profiles.

CURL libraries have been involved in QP since the beta-testing process in early 2002. The British Library has been involved since the CDRS project.  There are presently 8 CURL libraries using QP.

Go to http://www.lib.ed.ac.uk/qp/