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Beta Spaces As A Model For Recontextualizing Reference Services In Libraries, Madelynn Dickerson
Beta Spaces As A Model For Recontextualizing Reference Services In Libraries, Madelynn Dickerson
Library Staff Publications and Research
Reference services are at a cross-roads. While many academic libraries continue to offer reference services from behind a desk, others are moving to roving and embedded reference models. Meanwhile, libraries are also engaged in the development of collaborative learning spaces—often rich with technology, such as makerspaces and learning labs—but these spaces are often removed from the reference services environment. Beta spaces are another type of collaborative environment used in both public and academic libraries with the potential to infuse energy into the reference space and emphasize research support through experimentation, collaboration, and user contribution. Beta spaces are user-oriented environments with …