reference | The Journal of Creative Library Practice

By Charmaine Henriques
International Studies Librarian
Indiana University
Herman B Wells Library
Bloomington, Indiana

Introduction

Indiana University Bloomington (IUB) Libraries noticed a decrease in student (predominantly undergraduates) usage of its services and resources. This ongoing concern had been noted in the library literature and library panels/presentations. Administrators throughout the nation repeatedly surveyed students, put together focus groups and convened committees to discuss and find solutions to this phenomenon. These investigations unearthed recurring issues: students didn’t know how to navigate the
library or where and from who to get help. There was a segment of this population that either grew up without access to or did not make use of the library during primary and secondary school. For certain post secondary students, a college or university library will be the first library they ever encounter which can be an overwhelming experience, while to others that have already been enrolled for a few years the library is an unknown, unwelcoming place that they do not understand. Even so, where many saw a problem, a group of Area Studies librarians at IUB Libraries saw an opportunity.

Continue reading An Area Studies Pilot: Faculty Engagement, Public Space and Reference Service →

By Tina Chan
Reference Services Program Manager and Humanities Librarian
MIT Libraries

It can be challenging for information and reference staff to learn and remember the resources and services available in their library to assist patrons. Information and reference staff receive training when they are new employees, but they need to update their skills as new resources and services become available. This article explores an information services training program that MIT Libraries implemented to support all library staff who provide any information and reference service. It examines the goals for a library-wide information services training program, the steps taken to complete the project, future work for the training program, and concludes with recommendations for creating a staff training program framework.

Continue reading Creating a Training Program Framework for Information and Reference Staff →