RIAs Summer Workshop 2018

Monday, August 27th
Morning

(introductions, policies, reference)

Good morning!

Let's start off with an

~ice breaker~ 

🍧⛸️🍨

led by Pam

Drupal profiles!

Navigate to swarthmore.edu/user 

and I will show you how

Desk Dos & Don'ts

• Be ready to answer questions coming in-person, over the phone, through chat, or in the email account (librarian@swarthmore.edu).

• Look up from your reading/homework frequently.

• Fill out the Reference Stats survey after every reference interaction, except for email and chat questions.

• Put up the “Be right back!” sign if you have to leave the desk for any reason.

• Complete any additional duties as assigned. These might include completing LC Easy (training software), creating @swatlibrary social media posts, collection development tasks, reading an article in preparation for a RIAs training workshop, etc.

• Introduce yourself to the ITS student and circulation students & staff. Kim Gormley is the Late Night Access and Lending Services Supervisor, Brigette Brown works on weekends.

​

Desk Dos & Don'ts

• No wearing headphones, watching videos, or listening to music at the desk. Snacks and drinks are fine, but don’t have an elaborate and stinky feast. :)
   

• Limit conversations with friends at the desk. Huddling around assignments and books spread across the R&I Desk will discourage students from approaching to ask a question.
   

• Don’t let the desktop computer go to sleep, or else you risk missing a question coming in over chat or email. (It helps to have the volume up a little bit.)

Desk Dos & Don'ts

Have to miss a shift? Email all-rias@swarthmore.edu as soon as possible to find a sub (feel free to trade shifts or simply cover for each other).

→ This Google Group includes all RIAs as well as supervisors Lorin, Sarah, and Pam.

→ Library staff will also use this list to find daytime subs.

→ All RIAs can serve as subs, even those of you whose regular desk shift begins in the spring.

"REFERENCE"

Shifting gears to...

What is it?

Why is it called that?

What am I making 'reference' to?

Help!

According to the Oxford English Dictionary...

(Library) reference models

• Embedded
• Beta
• Traditional reference desk 
• Tiered
• Roving
• Scheduled appointments
• Virtual

What kinds of questions might be asked at the R&I desk?

• Where's the bathroom?

• Can you unjam the printer?

• Where are the B's?

• How do I set my laptop up to print on the library printers?

• Can you look up the call number of Writers on Writing: Collected Essays?

• Would you be interested in receiving some book donations?

• What's a good book on the modern Middle East?

• How do I integrate Zotero into Word?

• Can you help me find articles for topics on the culture of skateboarding as well as masculinity?

Questions asked at the R&I Desk
September 5 - 13, 2017

The "reference interview"

http://youtu.be/EbqXDM1XEm4?t=17s

Let's practice. Pair up with the person next to you, and take turns asking and answering the following reference questions.

• Where is the literature?
   
• Do you have any books on wild turtle care?
   
• I'm confused about how to look at articles.  
   
• Where can I get a print copy of the Bible to borrow?
   
• Where can I get a picture of my great grandmother, Elizabeth Carver, class of 1935?

Referrals are key! 🔑

College history + Quaker history + genealogy

             → friends@swarthmore.edu

Stuff that we don't have in the TriCO

             → emailill@swarthmore.edu

Tripod account issues (renewals, check-outs)

              → circ@swarthmore.edu

Subject-specific questions that you can't answer

               → specific research librarians