Thanks to the implementation of the virtual reference service QuestionPoint, the Bavarian State Library (BSB) in Munich has extended its end-user services in an attractive manner. The main differences with the former reference service are the easy access via the BSB website and the guaranteed response within five working days for general queries and often not more than five working days for specialist questions. If so desired, the user gets a password protected account with which he can check the status of his unanswered questions, redirect questions to the library or review earlier answers and reactivate earlier questions. The response is sent via e-mail. The new service has another attractive side because with the QuestionPoint license the BSB has also become a participant of a worldwide information network. Questions that the local staff and specialists cannot answer, can be directly forwarded to other members of the network depending on the competency profiles of the participating libraries. This way the BSB has a number of valuable partners for answering special queries of its own users, but with its rich database and special collections it also offers an interesting support for other libraries. About the Bavarian State Library
The Bavarian State Library, located in Munich, Germany, is the second largest academic library in German-speaking countries with a collection of just under 9 million books, 85,000 manuscripts and more than 44,000 printed and electronic journals.
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