Introduction to Interface Agents
Shirley Lincicum, Western Oregon University

Interface agents are computer programs that employ Artificial Intelligence techniques to provide active assistance to a user with computer-based tasks (Maes, 1994). This session will introduce software tools that can be used to build interface agents and explore applications for interface agents within the library context.

Digital Media in Libraries and Archives
Kevin Comerford, Microsoft Corporation

This presentation will discuss the challenges and benefits of digital audio, video, graphic, and animation content in the library or archive setting. Special attention will be given to the unique storage and publication requirements for media and how digital media collections differ from the mainstream concept of primarily text-based "digital libraries".

Why is the sky blue? Implementing a collaborative virtual reference desk project
Linda Fredricksen, Washington State University, Nicole Campbell, Washington State University Vancouver, and Roxanne Dimyan, Clark College

This panel presentation discusses the planning, implementation and evaluation of a virtual reference service in a grant-funded, collaborative environment. Topics will include current issues in digital reference, such as staffing, training, testing, marketing, access and assessment. Using LSTA grant funds awarded by the Washington State Library, the Washington State University Vancouver Library and Cannell Library at Clark College opened a virtual reference desk in September, 2002. After an initial testing period, librarians at both institutions developed strategies to use the technology to teach, gather data and develop online help tools. This presentation will focus on lessons learned from the project.

Since 1999, UM-St. Louis Librarians have been developing and using javascript based interactive tutorials which simulate the use of several commercial databases and the local OPAC. A newly developed facility entitled "Did they do it?" allows instructors to create and administer personal accounts which access data on their students' completion of each section of any tutorial. In effect, faculty can assign specific library tutorials to their students, and determine "Did they do it?". The "Did They Do It?" system was developed using four open source software products: Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP.