Still navigating across the Atlantic: a view of a virtual reference service for academic libraries.

This paper presents the Via Virtual Project, a virtual reference service designed by the University of Cadiz as a strategy in response to the new educational model in Europe. It was launched in cooperation with the University of New Mexico General Library as a bilingual reference service in real time, available 24 hours a day. The philosophy of the project will be described: the difference between virtual reference and a traditional reference service, the reorganisation of functions and activities, the acquisition of new skills by staff, the implementation of the software, and training etc. At present, the University of Cadiz Library is working in conjunction with the University of Valparaiso Library.