CPCP Vision

If I spoke honestly about this assignment I would have to say I failed to make it a priority due to several reasons. In the beginning I had the best of intentions to work collaboratively and give my best effort. I signed up with a group that included a coworker of mine in a different program. We talked about it at school with our ideas and thoughts, but never put anything on paper. School ended, and sumer began. What I didn't realize was that time was slipping away, and I hadn't heard anything from my group. I guess the phrase, "Outta sight, outta mind," is 100% accurate because I didn't realize my group HAD been meeting, just without me! I guess they formed before I was added and didn't put my email in their list. Needless to say, my late addition was kind of pointless. The work was complete, and I was there to say, "Atta boy! Good Job!"

I have always been uncomfortable with group work, usually because I am stuck doing all the work. This project however, has been the only one I ever felt like the slacker in. It's not a role I prefer, and will definitely not repeat.

Let's Fix Virtual Reference

Let's Fix Virtual Reference by Eric Zino published in Library Journal, February 1, 2009.

Eric Zino's article about the errors in virtual reference transactions focuses on his experiences as a librarian and patron. He cites the major problem as a lack of customer service. Librarians tend to act like computers and push web resources rather than print. Librarians also need to spend more time with the customer and understand their needs. The author spends as much time praising the efforts of virtual reference as he does questioning the problems he has faced as a patron.

I agree with the author on several points. It is important that the librarian always focus on the RUSA guidelines when interacting with any patron; be it online or in person. Like the author, I am also enthusiastic about the possibilities that VR brings. Most patrons can be intimidated when asking for help. Alternative transactions like VR can alleviate the stress and worry caused by face to face encounters. Like Zino says, "After all, we are are service providers and the experience of the end user is going to be our best marketing device at the end of the day."

Your Place or Mine?

Your Place or mine? Face-to-face reference services across campus written by Darcy Del Bosque published in New Library World Vol.108, No5/6, 2007.

The University of Texas at San Antonio implemented a pilot program to "increase student attendance at library events, increasing library visibility across campus, and learning what students want from the library in order to maximize efficiency of library projects." (260) They came up with two types of reference services. "Your Place" services focused on programs that put librarians in alternative sites such as writing centers, academic support areas and residence halls or dormitories. This program was called Direct-2-U-Reference and achieved moderate success in the computer labs and residence halls. "My Place" services in the library provided drop-in classes and tours called Crash Courses and Drop-in Tours. These classes were either introduction to library resources or subject specific classes. The participation was smaller but had a higher interaction and greater impact. Students were more comfortable and asked more questions. Overall, the data did not show a large impact statistically speaking, but the staff argued that the implementations were successful on many levels. They were able to publicize the role of the library and librarian positively, they collaborated with other departments, and personalized the library to the students helped.

I was intrigued by this article because it discussed the pros and cons of alternative reference interactions. The author made an argument for both sides with research and data which made me think about the impact of such services. While reading the data retrieved during the UTSA experiment, I tended to side with the librarians in that these services may not be earth shattering, the real results can not be measured by numbers and hours. It is measured by the individual reference transactions and interactions. Overall, I would support the UTSA library's quest to create unique opportunities for reference desk services.

Virtual Reference Librarian 3

Rebecca came to me with the question, "I am looking for a full-text article on school library administration. Can you help me find articles on this topic?" I restated her question for clarification and escorted her to the library catalog. We clicked on databases and articles, library/information services, and then clicked on ERIC. In the search box we typed, "school library administration," clicked the full text box, and typed in 2005-2009 for the years to search between. 50 articles came back and I showed her how to narrow the results using the left hand column. We clicked on library administration and 30 results returned. This pleased the client and she was able to read throught the titles.

Virtual Reference Librarian 2

Rebecca came to me with the question, "I have found some articles in the June 2008 issue of Teaching Children Mathematics that I would like to read. How can I obtain these articles?" I restated her question to make sure I had the journal title and issue date correct. Once I was certain we were on the same page, I directed her to the Library main page, and clicked on the Journal Title Search. We typed in the journal title and clicked search. The journal was found with online access so I showed her how to log in using your banner ID number. Then using the drop down button for the year, we changed it to 2008, and were able to find the May and August issues since there were no June issues. She was able to then look for the articles that she wanted.

Virtual Reference Librarian 1

Rebecca came to me with the question "Where can I find a list of children's books that focus on Hispanic Americans?" To narrow her search I asked her: What age group? Elementary School Age. Do you want them written by an Hispanic American? not necessarily. Did you want a picture book or a chapter book? Picture book. Based on these answers, I directed her to a website www.multiculturalchildrenslit.com and showed her the page on Hispanic Americans. Rebecca chose the book My Name is Maria Isabel, and from there we logged on to the Appstate library catalog and searched for the book using a title search. It was available in the ASU main stacks.

Search and Discuss Questions

In creating the search and discuss questions I was originially excited because it was a topic of our choice and something I could potentially use in the future. From the very beginning I had in mind that I wanted my topic to be Presidents. Only after trying to come up with questions did I realize how broad my topic was. So I narrowed it down to Abraham Lincoln. I found the process fascinating; learning more about the sixteenth President. What was frustrating was finding questions that could not be answered by a Google search. This task paired with my perfectionism led to a lengthy evening in the library. Even the guy sitting next to me felt pity saying, "That must be one hell of a research project!" It was amusing to see his face after I explained I was studying to become a librarian. Ahh..those expressions are amusing!

Observation of the Reference Desk & 2nd interview

I had the opportunity to observe the reference desk at Gaston College. I was there for about two hours and witnessed the lull of summer hours. No one ever approached the desk with questions. Instead, every patron that entered the library sat at a computer carrol and browsed the internet or used word processing programs. There were maybe ten patrons total in the library during my visit. While I watched the interactions of the users, I spoke with the evening librarian, Jody Mosteller about her experience at the reference desk. Jody was very easy to talk to and showed me her typical start to an evening. She walked through the databases she recommends and uses to teach library sessions. She also talked about the prevalence of the nursing students (though they usually help themselves), and the social issue essays that students write. She also mentioned her second highest queries occur when professors put books or articles on hold for checkout in the library. Often times, some students will check them all out and leave some students empty handed. She shows them how to find the articles online or put the books on hold from ILL. Overall, Judy was a dream to interview. She was much more personable and relatable. She mentioned that they are opening a new library in Belmont, and I wish her the best of luck in interviewing for that position!

Interview with a Reference Librarian

I met with Calvin Craig the Information Access Librarian at Gaston College's main campus. He is the main reference librarian with morning/afternoon hours. He also teaches study skill sessions to different classes about how to use online databases and how to find informaiton in the library. He is also in charge of the library website. On a typical day in the semester, the morning hours are busier with students and questions. The typical user is hard to describe because of the diversity of the campus. The average age varies from high school students earning college credit to retired folks returning to school. There is a large, dedicated group of nursing students that take their education and research seriously, but are capable of working independently. The most common questions come from writing assignments on social issues. These requests are so typical, then college subsribes to two online databases that focus soley on these political and social hot-button issues. As far as difficult patrons, Mr. Craig has not experienced many. The majority of issues arise from the public patrons using the internet. Two public users and one student have been banned from the library beause of innaporpriate use of the internet. Overall, I was very impressed with the interview. He was very hospitable and gave me a tour of the library introducing me to everyone, including Dr. Cook the Director of the library. Mr. Craig was nothing, if not thorough and I appreciated his time.

Feeling much more confident this go round with Dr. Rob! I remember in August feeling pretty overwhelmed! Who knew I would be a *semi*pro at virtual worlds, wiki's and blogs! Kinda nervous about this collaboration project and looming deadlines, but what else is new! Ahh the life of a graduate student! : )