"What is the Future of Face to Face Reference?"
Speakers from University of California - Merced, Ohio University, and Appalachian State University presented their organizations' responses to the following statement:
"Sitting behind a desk may no longer be the best way to provide quality service, and while we maintain the traditional goal, that doesn't mean that we have to maintain the traditional methods." Sonntag, Gabriela and Felicia Paisson, "No Longer the Sacred Cow - No Longer a Desk...." Library Philosphy and Practice. Feb. (2007).
So what are they doing at U of C?
1. Research Support Program (RSP) appointments - librarian appointments
2. General Library Help - utilize student assistants
3. Offer both Chat/IM and experimenting with text messaging
4. Technology Lending Library - provide study rooms with dry erase boards, LCD monitors & laptop checkouts
5. Digital signage advertise library services - view samples at http://ucmercedlibrary.info/templates.html
How does Ohio Unversity compare?
Reference librarians and other department staff are available whenever the libraries are open to assist with information needs of library users.
Points of access:
1. Ask a Librarian > IM, Chat, Phone, E-mail
2. New: Skype a Librarian: you can ask libraians questions via Skype, the free internet calling service - call, videocall, or message the library for free using your Skype account (Ohio service). Service available 24/5 and long weekend hours.
Not to be left out, Appalachian State University offers:
1. Multimedia Rooms & a Digital Media Studio
2. RAP - Rap Sesssion Request Online form to book a librarian
3. Cyber cafe available 24/5: wireless, MACS, PCs, print stations
4. AET Zone - ASU's distance education program functions in a 3-D Environment that looks like a college campus - students use animated figures - avatars - to give a face and voice in their interactions with fellow students and their professors.
Have the universities left us behind? Can you see benefits for public libraries?
Comments always welcome.
2 comments:
As I do more and more text messaging from my phone, I wish I could just text my question to a librarian sometimes. It's cheaper than using the phone to search the web!
You're right - I think technology needs to catch up.
Teens only TEXT!
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