FutureLibrary

Where oh Where have my Reference Skills Gone? June 18, 2009

If your library does not have RFID or an automated computer booking system, there is a good chance that you have lost your reference skills. I know I have. It’s crazy, but I find that there is no time to help customers with reference queries. Isn’t that what the aim of the library is? Or is it to manually check in/check out items, and book customers onto the flamin internet!

I have noticed a considerable drop off on the amount of reference questions that have been directed my way. I guess this is the result of people having access to the internet, and the numbers are growing. Are customers afraid to ask questions to the librarian? I don’t know. Maybe they see that you are busy issuing and returning items and don’t want to disturb you. Certainly the numbers of people attending public libraries are increasing, especially in this period of economic difficulty. It makes sense that reference questions should be out there.

When they do come I have to search the far reaches of my brain and think where that information is. It takes a few moments for the cogs to get started, and you think yes, this is an enjoyable part of the job. You learn something as does the customer. Better than mindlessly issuing 15,000 graded reader books and stamping every one.

In my mind, the question arises, should there be a reference desk. Shouldn’t we all, as information professionals, have the knowledge, interest and endeavour to be able to direct customers to the relevant areas? In the ideal situation of RFID and automated booking systems being in place, a couple of librarians would be able to “rove” the library. These are our “roving librarians”, our “roving reference desks”.

Until RFID and automated computer booking systems are common place in libraries, there will always be questions unanswered, and librarians skills being wasted.