Managing and Evaluating Reference Services

Introduction

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As I reflect back to the beginning of the semester, I can appreciate the natural sequence that LIBE 467 'Information Services' is developing.  The past three weeks have emphasized the important role that a teacher-librarian plays in a school community, particularly when concerning information literacy.  While the previous theme lead me to a understanding of reference services, the second theme of the course has challenged me to consider the multi-faceted role that teacher-librarians play when managing, evaluating, and implementing an effective program.

Scope

The second theme of LIBE 467 covered three weeks or topics pertaining to reference services, however, the first topic that detailed information services and cooperative program planning and teaching was the module that stuck out the most to me.  Collaboration is an aspect of teaching that I highly value, however, it's also an aspect of teaching that is sometimes under utilized by others for various reasons.  Therefore, I appreciated how this lesson broke down the different levels of reference services in order to support research skills to provide formal and information learning opportunities for students to develop skills related to information literacy.

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Prior to this lesson, I never fully considered the role that the student plays in collaboration as Riedling has done when she discusses the purpose of the reference interview as "fundamentally a conversation between the school library media specialist and the student, for the purpose of clarifying the student's needs and aiding in meeting those needs" (Riedling, 2013, p. 99).  As a teacher-librarian, we bring students and information together however, I never considered these information conversations a part of collaboration before but can now appreciate how the two are interconnected.  Having a better understanding of the role of a teacher-librarian in this aspect will aid me in the future development of reference services.

Conclusion

The ability of the teacher-librarian to focus on interpersonal skills to develop sound references services and collaborate with not only teachers and administrators, but also students is essential to the success of an effective learning commons. A sound knowledge of the collection and research interview process will foster an appreciation for the role the library and librarian in the development of research skills.  This idea is increasingly important as new curriculum is being implemented that requires inquiry, collaboration, and reference services.  The following TEDX deals with an experience in a public library but emphasizes the importance of libraries in the 21st century and the creation of an environment in which students feel comfortable to learn freely and to ask questions, an important aspect of the reference interview.

References

1. Riedling, A. M., Shake, L., & Houston, C. (2013). Reference skills for the school librarian: tools and tips. Santa Barbara, CA: Linworth, an imprint of ABC-CLIO, LLC. 

2. Smith, Pam Sandman. (2013, December). What to expect from libraries in the 21st century [Video file]. TEDx. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa6ERdxyYdo