Services like Maryland AskUsNow! are increasingly important in a world where budgets are shrinking and customers increasingly rely on technology to communicate. Through the use of virtual reference, we can “get back to basics” and provide additional access to our customers, whom we exist to serve. Julie Strange will discuss the importance of virtual reference in an era of expanding audiences and shrinking budgets. Stephanie Petruso will teach you how to grab the “teachable moment” with customers. Jessica Chaiken will focus on where special libraries fit in virtual reference. Kendra Frost will show how even “wacky” or seemingly inappropriate chatters can be engaged by librarians!