Stress Relief: Help for the Technophobic Patron from the Reference Desk

Summary

Although much has been written on technophobia and how it can be treated, little has been published on how the reference librarian can help. Limiting the time spent introducing new technologies, speaking without using computer jargon, offering instruction through different learning styles, and preparing patrons to deal with the problems they encounter are a few of the strategies the reference librarian can do to help patrons deal with their fear of computers. This article examines and defines technophobia, offers short-term strategies that reference staff can use to alleviate the anxiety of their technophobic patrons, and finally touches upon long-term solutions and changes that can be made within the library environment itself.     

"参考馆员"、"学科馆员"与"核心馆员"刍议

文章对参考馆员、学科馆员与核心馆员的概念进行了辨析,进而论述了三者的关系及其对图书馆工作的作用.     

Telephone Calls Received at an Academic Library's Reference Desk: A New Analysis

ABSTRACT

It has been established that much of the assistance provided to library patrons at reference desks does not require the knowledge and expertise of a professional librarian. Is the same thing true of the telephone calls received at reference desks in academic libraries? This article reports the results of one academic librarian's reference desk transaction log analysis which focuses on the categories of assistance provided to patrons who called the library's reference desk.     

The 21st Century Reference Department

Abstract

Reference service in academic libraries has evolved over the years from what was the “reference interview” to the kind of service transaction which takes many forms and involves numerous information resources and the highest librarian expertise in some situations. Reference is more versatile now than ever, and this may be attributed to the abundance of resources and the multitude of ways librarians can acquire access to needed information. Coordination of efforts, expertise, and resources can make a great reference department function efficiently and effectively. College and university libraries with huge reference departments may need reference managers or heads of reference to manage them, but there are smaller libraries with small reference departments which employ less than five reference librarians. Managing these small libraries with an even smaller pool of reference librarians may not seem as complicated as managing large ones.

The head of reference position is an important one in the library, both for the staff and for the users served. This article will try to present views on the qualities, qualifications, and requirements which the head of reference should possess in the 21st century.     

“I Got the Job! Now What Do I Do?”

Abstract

New reference librarians should not expect to be passive participants in their orientations. As evidenced in current literature, few libraries are able to provide the time and resources needed to fully orient and train their staff. Therefore, librarians should take an active role in planning and implementing their own training. This article provides tips for developing a self-training plan for new reference librarians.     

浅议图书资料系列专业技术职称队考代评制

文章阐述了图书资料系列初、中级专业技术职称以考代评制,分析以考代评制的实质和优势以及如何完善以考代评制。     

Research in Academic Reference Librarianship: Review of the 2008–2012 Published Research

This article reviews the research literature of three major journals in reference librarianship. The texts of 494 articles were analyzed and classified as research versus nonresearch. Articles such as news, commentary, book reviews, editorials, meeting announcements, and opinion pieces were excluded from the analysis. A total number of 162 (30.49%) articles were determined to be research articles and were examined to collect data on numerous variables including but not limited to authorship, affiliation, topic, type of research, data collection, and data analysis techniques.     

馆员在数字参考咨询服务中的行为规范

介绍了目前国际、国内数字参考咨询指南制定情况，并针对我国数字参考服务的现状，建议我国图书馆界应该制定切实可行的数字参考咨询指南。     

Reference by Your Side: Redesigning the Library Help Desk

ABSTRACT

This bibliographic essay examines recent (1994–2006) research into the evaluation of reference effectiveness. Different methods for evaluating traditional in-person reference services are compared and contrasted from an unobtrusive or obtrusive methodology perspective, including those that use the “Willingness to Return” factor and the Wisconsin-Ohio Reference Evaluation Program (WOREP). A review of emerging trends is provided as well as recommendations for future research.     

Readin', Writtin' [sic], 'Rithmetic

Abstract

Much has been written about the education of reference librarians. Lamentations have been long, frequent and loud regarding library school education, and on-the-job training. Little, however, has been written about the education of librarians before they reach library school. If predictions regarding education are only half true, the future pool of reference librarians will be shallow indeed. Moreover, it is not entirely out of the question that those remaining in the pool may be so poorly educated as to require not on-the-job training, but a remedial education so extensive as to foreclose real on-the-job training for several years. Definition of the problem coupled with focused follow-up may help current reference librarians prepare now for the not-so-rosy future we may inherit.     

REVIEWS

No abstract available for this article.     

MANAGEMENT/MARKETING OF PUBLIC SERVICES

No abstract available for this article.     

Doing It All: First Year Challenges for New Academic Reference Librarians

ABSTRACT

The article suggests ways in which new academic reference librarians can carve out a niche within the larger field of librarian-ship. The author recommends that these new professionals first identify areas of specialization within their departments, which they can later extend to their libraries, colleges or universities, communities, state, region, and nation.     

Public Lending Right

No abstract available for this article.