Module 7 Roving reference (Reference Excellence)

Suggested answers for Module 7 exercises - Discuss the questions and your answers with your supervisor, trainer or colleagues.

1. Try roving.
2. How do people respond to your approaches?
3. What skills do you need to practice?
4. What did you find easy about it?
5. What could have worked better?
6. Talk with your supervisor about this.

Discuss your answer with your colleagues, trainer or supervisor.

Using technology

1. What devices has your library has for roving?

Readers' advisory

1. What resources does your library have to support Readers' Advisory questions.

2. List the resources you can suggest to patrons that they can access from your Library Webpage.

• You have learned how to approach people in a friendly way, as part of roving reference making sure you are not standing, or walking too close to them.
• Use a phrase like “are you finding what you are looking for?” which requires a longer answer rather than a yes or no.
• Make sure you are familiar with the services provided across the whole library.
• Make sure you know how to use any technology your library has, the device may not have been purchased for roving reference, but may be able to be used for it.
• Use roving reference each time you are rostered on a reference and information services shift.
• You have learned how to start making the whole library into a service area.

What to do when you finish the module…

When you have completed the exercises for this module, you may want to talk to your supervisor, trainer or colleagues about them.

Please fill out and submit evaluation form

Reference excellence - self paced reference and information services training

About Reference Excellence

Module 1 Overview of the reference process

Module 2 Reference interview skills and question types

Module 3 People skills, reference behaviours

Module 4 Search strategies

Module 5 Reference resources

Module 6 Ethics and legislation

Module 7 Roving reference

Module 8 Local studies

Module 9 Family history

Module 10 Children

Module 11 Young adults

Module 12 Corporate library services

Module 13 Technology reference services