The Reference Interview

The library patron says "Reference Librarians make me uncomfortable, they ask so many questions and make me feel like they think I’m stupid. I don’t want to talk to them."

The reference librarian says, "Patrons don’t know what they need, they think they know what they want, but it is usually wrong."

Actually, both views are somewhat correct.

To best serve a student looking for information at the library, you do best to start with questions, several questions.

How long is the paper?

When is it due?

What class is it for?

What requirements and restrictions has the instructor given on sources?

What topic were you thinking about?

How long is the paper?

Why ask this?

This gives you an idea of how many sources the student will need.

This will depend on what level class it is

Roughly 1 source per page is a good range

Beware over researching, writing avoidance

When is it due?

Why?

This will affect what materials can be requested.

Library policies for Recalls, Searches, and Inter Library Loans (ILL)

Library research always takes more time than students think - Students with disabilities will need more time than average

Encourage students to start early!

What class is it for?

The information you need here is not the course title "Social issues in Context"

which can tell you remarkably little, but the prefix and number, HIS202

What requirements and restrictions has the instructor given on sources?

What, how many, how current?

Define Journals, Scholarly Journals

Discuss relative merits of books to journals

Discuss online sources

What topic were you thinking about?

Best way to pick a topic is after some initial research in the area of interest

Some coaching on breadth of topic can help

Often instructors are open to a topic change