hyun-duck chung and amy van scoy receive emerald research grant

Contact: Eileen Hardy
RUSA Marketing Specialist
(312) 280-4398
ehardy@ala.org

For Immediate Release,
April 29, 2008

Hyun-Duck Chung and Amy Van Scoy receive Emerald Research Grant <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />


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CHICAGO—Hyun-Duck Chung, librarian, and Amy Van Scoy, assistant head of Reference, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, are co-recipients of one of the 2008 Emerald Research Grant awards, administered by the Business Reference and Services Section (BRASS), a section of the Reference and Users Services Association (RUSA).

This is one of two $5,000 cash awards donated by Emerald Group Publishing Limited to an <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />ALA member seeking support in conducting research in business librarianship.

Chung and Van Scoy are performing research on virtual reference transcripts. Virtual reference transcripts contain a wealth of data that librarians can use to better understand the needs of their patrons, how their library’s resources are used and how reference staff are responding to patrons’ needs. Subject-specific questions, especially business reference questions, can be challenging and offer insight into the use of expensive resources and students assignments.

“Chung and Van Scoy are looking at ways to support business librarians by assessing chat transcripts as training tools, said Jennifer Boettcher, BRASS Development Committee chair. “Their work will give the profession a fresh view on how to use ubiquitous chat transcripts that fill our desktops in public and academic libraries.”

The award will be presented at RUSA Awards Ceremony from 4 to 6 p.m. on June 30 during the ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim (Calif.).