Virtual Classroom, Virtual Library: Library Services for an Online Writing Laboratory

In this article, we explore the development, organization, launching, and pitfalls of a library using multiuser domain, object-oriented (MOO) technology in collaboration with the Online Writing Laboratory (OWL) at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The MOO library provided links to Internet- and other library-related resources for use by students in community colleges in Arkansas. Using Internet technologies, graduate students at the University of Arkansas provided writing assistance to community college students. The addition of the library to the MOO educational environment enhanced and complemented the tutoring services provided by the graduate students. The librarian provided assistance to instructors in the development of specific course-related resources as well as real-time reference service via an online reference desk. The combination of an organized collection of links to resources and the availability of synchronous reference service tested the feasibility of using MOO technology to provide library service to distance education students.