Reference Models

I have finished this presentation on new reference model option for the Penrose reference section. All I am really trying to do with this presentation is to provide a snapshot of possibilites that are out there. Here's the text of the handout:


Why have a new reference model?
-Decrease in on-desk reference questions.
-Increase in liaison/subject reference work.
-Increase and impact of library instruction.
-Potential addition of IM reference service.

-Despite the amount of off-desk work being done, bringing more onto the desk is not seen as a solution.
-Putting more than one librarian on the desk at a time does not seem like a good use of time.
-Informational and directional questions being answered by Circulation.

Information Commons
-Designed to provide point-of-need assistance at any stage in the research process.
-Designed to contain all resources needed to complete projects, including assistance in reference, research, writing, and technology, hardware and software, digital and print sources, individual and group workstations.

Beagle (University of North Carolina, Belmont Abbey College), “Conceptualizing the Information Commons” (1999):
“….while services retain their identities; the information commons creates an environment where old boundaries are blurred and many constituent activities flow across old boundaries.”
-IC does not separate print and digital sources, so the services overlap as well
-Subsequently, as Chris Ferguson (Director, Integrated Member Research ) points out: “an important dimension of integrated information service onsite is efficient and effective referral to the next level of expertise” (“Shaking the Conceptual Foundations” (2000)).

In other words, there is a possible extension of the role of librarians and other staff:
Kulathau’s Seeking Meaning (2004), Strategies for research:
Collaborating-make the process a joint venture
Continuing-monitoring the search/process over time
Choosing-giving control to the patron
Charting-visualization of the process, tracking the evolution of it
Conversing-sharing the process
Composing-thinking and formulating information as it is encountered

Who is doing IC well?
University of Indiana (Diane Dallis and Carolyn Walters, Information Commons Undergraduate Services Department)
-Gate count has gone up, although reference interactions are still going down
-Information Commons staff is seeing an increase in requests for one-on-one instruction at the reference desk.
-More questions are concerned with aspects of research
-There are as many requests for quiet places to study as there are for group spaces
-Heavy investment in the physical plant
-Consolidation of several small libraries on campus
-Integrated desks require high levels of co-operation and referrals. The sign above the main desk just reads: “Ask Questions Here.”

“The nature of reference has also changed. Librarians have seen a trend that students have become more skilled at navigating library resources. The ICULS librarians concur that they encounter more students who have independently had success with an online library resource and who are requesting help with the next level of research…..Librarians and library staff find that they are spending more time than they had just three years ago on questions because they are more advanced and require more discussion.”
-Dallis and Walters, “Reference Services in the Commons Environment”


Brigham Young University (Michael J. Whitchurch, C. Jeffrey Belliston, and William Baer, BYU and Dixie State College of Utah)

-Intense focus on raising the technological competencies of the reference staff as opposed to raising the library competencies of technology staff.
-Use separate offices for reference consultations.
-“There is little doubt that the trend in higher education is moving toward more group work for projects. Due to this change, the information commons is expected to continue on the same path toward providing more and better facilities for groups, including an evolving support structure.”
-Depended a lot on pattern of use studies and advisory groups, especially student government.
-Because of need for space and reliance on the use of online resources by reference staff, the print reference collection has been dramatically reduced.

Tiered Services

Styles:

Separate Information and Reference Desks—Johns-Hopkins (Massey-Barzio, “Reference Encounters of a Different Kind” and “From the Other Side of the Reference Desk” (1992 & 1998))
-Designed to alleviate time pressure on reference staff
-Information desk seen as poor in quality by students
-Confusion as to what to ask where
-Reference staff seen as more helpful to students, Information desk skipped over

Joint Information/Reference Desk--Syracuse (Information Desks in Academic Libraries,1995)
-Despite confusion, problems are made up for by co-operation and referrals, accomplished task of properly answering the right levels of questions at each station
-Allowed for flexible use of on-desk time by staff
-Flexible arrangement of desk coverage

On-Call System/Office for Consultation—University of Texas-Austin (Ibid.)
-Does a good job as long as referrals are made properly
-One-on-one consultations by librarians can be done in private areas
-Potential for lots of waiting by a patron


What is the Reference's Mission?
How does it fit into DU’s larger mission?
-Key concepts in DU’s mission: Collaboration, engagement, human potential, creative expression, innovation.
How do you see our role at DU?
-Consultation?
-Instruction?
-Integrated into other services?
-Business as usual?

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