The RCM Library has joined the virtual reference cooperative Chasing the Sun on a trial basis. The aim of the Chasing the Sun service is to provide an after-hours online reference service for urgent clinical questions relating to patient care. The project takes advantage of global time differences between countries to offer out-of-hours librarian support for clinicians seeking urgently needed information. The service is not intended to be used for research purposes or academic assignments.

The project has now been running successfully for about four years. The initial participants were the South Australian Health Services Libraries' Consortium (SAHSLC) and the South West Information for Clinical Effectiveness (SWICE) network of NHS libraries. However, the intention is now to broaden the membership base to include other regions of the world and different types of health library, thereby improving the service’s scope and coverage.

Members will be able to obtain answers to clinical questions out of normal library hours via an internet messaging application called Question Point, which is accessible via the RCM web site members’ area. These will be picked up by librarians in Australia who are logged in to the application. Similar, professional staff in our library will be logged into Question Point during opening hours and can answer incoming questions from clinicians in Australia.