Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

They Sought Our Help: A Survey Of One-On-One Research Assistance At The University Of Tennessee Lupton Library, Sarla R. Murgai

The Southeastern Librarian

Providing research assistance on an individual basis to patrons has long been a standard service in the panoply of services at many academic libraries. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) Lupton Library describes its one-on-one research service as follows: "if you are new to using the library resources, can’t find the right source for your paper or need a demonstration of a database, need help in tracking an obscure article, or have any other questions that require a little extra help, Lupton Library offers one-on-one research help to students and faculty. You many request a research appointment online or …

Information Needs In A Hurricane Gustav Evacuation Shelter: Reflections On A Librarian’S Volunteer Experience, Donna Braquet

The Southeastern Librarian

For three years following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, residents of the Gulf Coast enjoyed a reprieve from serious threats. But in 2008 Hurricanes Gustav and Ike confirmed that massive evacuations are now a reality of hurricane season. A consequence of such large evacuations is the establishment of hundreds of shelters across the country. Opportunities exist to improve information assistance and information dissemination in hurricane shelters. Information professionals can help by conducting research and documenting their experiences in shelters. This article discusses observations of evacuees’ information needs at a Hurricane Gustav shelter in Knoxville, Tennessee, and details the resources and methods …

Reference Use Statistics: Statistical Sampling Method Works (University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga), Sarla R. Murgai

The Southeastern Librarian

Most reference librarians would like reference statistics to reflect all aspects of reference work. They would also like the task of keeping statistics to be simple. However, there is nothing simple about reference service. While spending more and more time helping individual students at their workstations, away from the reference desk, reference librarians still have to remember to mark statistics when they return to the reference desk. They realize that detailed information as to the type of questions asked at the desk would be helpful in guiding librarians while providing user instruction. Such details would also provide information on the …

Chatting About Questionpoint And Docutek, Dana Mervar, Matthew Loving

The Southeastern Librarian

The following article describes our experience using two popular interactive chat services: OCLC QuestionPoint and Docutek VRLplus. A search of the library literature revealed that no similar comparisons had been done. Regardless of the future of chat technology, the current buzz surrounding its use is prompting libraries across the country to seek out ways of acquiring a chat service. OCLC has strong name recognition due to its traditional role in providing library technology solutions. This factor plays an important role in marketing its QuestionPoint chat product. Docutek also offers library technology solutions with the idea of making technology simple and …

Striving For Success: Practical Advice For Reference Graduate Assistants (And Other New Reference Providers), D. Brett Spencer, Amia Baker, Richard A. Stoddart, Sheri Helt, Adrienne R. Lee, Bryan Paul Tronstad

The Southeastern Librarian

With a little reflection, most librarians can recall the excitement, anticipation, and fear that filled their early days at the reference desk:

“What will people ask me?”

“What if I don’t know how to help someone?”

“What do I need to do to be successful?”

Many librarians first experienced this emotional turbulence while working as graduate assistants (GAs) in academic library reference departments. Although demanding, working as a reference graduate assistant yields many benefits. An assistantship introduces participants to basics of reference librarianship like customer service, search techniques, and teamwork. Assistantships also help students get their foot in the door …

Live Virtual Reference And The Database Dilemma, Jennifer Mcclure

The Southeastern Librarian

Live virtual reference programs in the university setting have blossomed in recent years as librarians have aspired to become as “virtual” as the resources they offer. While some libraries have chosen to limit their service to affiliated members, many have preferred to open their programs to the wider community. The motivation to do so is perhaps particularly strong among public university librarians, who often feel a dual responsibility to their own affiliates and to the citizens of their state. However, the decision to offer a chat reference service to the public raises a number of legal, ethical, and practical questions …

The Realities Of Relevance: A Survey Of Librarians' Use Of Library And Information Science Research, Christine Brown, Brett Spencer

The Southeastern Librarian

This article grew out the authors' desire to explore the widely held notion that librarians disregard LIS research because they consider it irrelevant. For example, in the early stages of this project one colleague commented that librarianship "is all practice" and that LIS research has had no effect upon his own work. Editors of many LIS journals also question whether research exerts influence on practice. Peter Hernon and Candy Schwartz, editors of Library and Information Science Research, lament that “research has not penetrated the soul” of the library profession, and William Katz, former editor of Research Quarterly, notes that many …

Is There A Next For Reference Librarians?, Linda Cox, Gail Stern Kwak, Abbie Landry, Fleming Thomas

The Southeastern Librarian

In this opinion piece four reference librarians at a medium sized academic library in Louisiana, describe their experience with an unanticipated effect of educational technology (online computers) and their recommendations for taking advantage of this effect. This paper makes a case for teaching as the new occupation for reference librarians.

The Local Nature Of Digital Reference, Teresa U. Berry, Margaret M. Casado, Lana Dixon

The Southeastern Librarian

In response to the extensive availability of digital library resources and the rising number of remote users, many libraries now offer digital reference services through e-mail and chat. The growing use of interactive chat software with its real time interactive capability has prompted librarians to consider collaborative ways in which to offer this service. A concern expressed frequently in informal discussions of such collaborations is how difficult it would be for the staff at one library to answer questions for another, considering that many questions tend to be “local”. Intrigued by the perception of “local,” librarians at the University of …