Type of Presentation
Individual paper/presentation (20 minute presentation)
Target Audience
Other
Location
Room 1220B
Proposal
The Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center is privileged to be the sole library for four distinguished Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU): Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College and the Interdenominational Theological Center. This role can also be a challenge when trying to reach students and faculty in all the campuses since the physical building of the library is not centrally located. With the help of technology and a few campus contacts, Woodruff librarians are taking their reference services to where the researchers are – on campus. Faculty and or campus staff select a time and day when student traffic would be high (usually the days when most classes are scheduled) and a location with high visibility, which include student centers, dorms and computer labs. Initially, student turnout was low but with time and more advertising, the number of reference interactions has increased. This presentation will illustrate the library’s need for this service, our approach to talking with campus contacts about the program and which aspects of the program has been successful and what can be improved.
Short Description
This presentation will inform the audience about the challenges that Woodruff Library faced in providing services to a variety of campuses such as location, connectivity, access, time constraints, etc. This presentation will also address how Woodruff turned the challenges into opportunities to move library services beyond the building. This process allowed for better integration with departmental activities and student projects. If time allows, participants will be able to present some challenges that they face on their own campuses and collaborate with colleagues about possible solutions.
Keywords
Academic libraries, Reference services (Libraries), Reference librarians, Electronic reference services (Libraries)
Publication Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Recommended Citation
Davis, Angiah; Fredd, Carla; and Bugg, Kimberley, "Librarians on Demand: Offering Instruction and Reference Services Anytime They Want It and Anywhere They Want It" (2010). Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy. 15.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gaintlit/2010/2010/15
Librarians on Demand: Offering Instruction and Reference Services Anytime They Want It and Anywhere They Want It
Room 1220B
The Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center is privileged to be the sole library for four distinguished Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU): Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College and the Interdenominational Theological Center. This role can also be a challenge when trying to reach students and faculty in all the campuses since the physical building of the library is not centrally located. With the help of technology and a few campus contacts, Woodruff librarians are taking their reference services to where the researchers are – on campus. Faculty and or campus staff select a time and day when student traffic would be high (usually the days when most classes are scheduled) and a location with high visibility, which include student centers, dorms and computer labs. Initially, student turnout was low but with time and more advertising, the number of reference interactions has increased. This presentation will illustrate the library’s need for this service, our approach to talking with campus contacts about the program and which aspects of the program has been successful and what can be improved.