NSW public library wiki

User Tools

Site Tools

Trace:
module_7_roving_reference_ref-ex

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
module_7_roving_reference_ref-ex [2024/02/15 19:36] – [Using technology] michael.adams_sl.nsw.gov.aumodule_7_roving_reference_ref-ex [2024/03/21 01:24] (current) – judyatkinson
Line 7: Line 7:
 Roving is a term to describe a service where staff leave a fixed service point to find patrons within the library who require assistance. Your library may use a specific term to describe this service i.e. Roaming Reference, Mobile Reference. Roving is a term to describe a service where staff leave a fixed service point to find patrons within the library who require assistance. Your library may use a specific term to describe this service i.e. Roaming Reference, Mobile Reference.
  
-A key element of roving is approachability. When library staff are away from a service point you have to be approachable and able to be interrupted. You need to not look so busy that people don’t want to ask you a question. You may be doing some shelving, or adding to a display, or you might be walking around looking for people to approach.+A key element of roving is approachability. When you are providing a service away from a service point you have to be approachable and able to be interrupted. You need to not look so busy that people don’t want to ask you a question. You may be doing some shelving, or adding to a display, or you might be walking around looking for people to approach.
  
 Roving is a different kind of service. You are leaving the desk, possibly spending more time with people while you are helping them with enquiries. You also have to think about how you approach people, and each staff member will have a different comfort zone, although it is important to remember that it is about the patron's comfort. Roving is a different kind of service. You are leaving the desk, possibly spending more time with people while you are helping them with enquiries. You also have to think about how you approach people, and each staff member will have a different comfort zone, although it is important to remember that it is about the patron's comfort.
Line 13: Line 13:
 As well as enabling people to approach you when you are away from the desk library staff also need a non-threatening way of asking people who are browsing the shelves if they need help. As well as enabling people to approach you when you are away from the desk library staff also need a non-threatening way of asking people who are browsing the shelves if they need help.
  
-While libraries providing roving still usually have service desks, the design of the desk is changing. Some libraries have introduced smaller reference and information desks for staff. The small desks make them more approachable for patrons as they do not look like barriers. The smaller desks are also easier for staff to walk away from to help patrons because the design is more open.+While libraries providing roving also have service desks, the design of the desk is changing. Some libraries have introduced smaller reference and information desks for staff. The small desks make them more approachable for patrons as they do not look like barriers. The smaller desks are also easier for staff to walk away from to help patrons because the design is more open.
  
 Taking the reference and information service away from a desk to anywhere in the library requires a few changes. Sometimes this includes a change in the attitude of staff towards their patrons. Staff need to learn different ways of interacting with the community and with each other. Mobile technology can help with this. Taking the reference and information service away from a desk to anywhere in the library requires a few changes. Sometimes this includes a change in the attitude of staff towards their patrons. Staff need to learn different ways of interacting with the community and with each other. Mobile technology can help with this.
Line 34: Line 34:
   * Face the person, not fully front on (slight angle), don't talk to their back.  You can stand beside someone to talk to them (when they are browsing the shelves).   * Face the person, not fully front on (slight angle), don't talk to their back.  You can stand beside someone to talk to them (when they are browsing the shelves).
   * When you are roving (and the term roving implies walking with purpose) it is important to stroll to see if someone needs assistance rather than walking briskly. The strolling makes you approachable, whereas a brisk walk makes you look like you are going somewhere else – which you may be.   * When you are roving (and the term roving implies walking with purpose) it is important to stroll to see if someone needs assistance rather than walking briskly. The strolling makes you approachable, whereas a brisk walk makes you look like you are going somewhere else – which you may be.
-  * Make sure you are wearing approved staff identification.  This could be a name tag, a badge, or an apron or jacket.+  * Wear approved staff identification.  This could be a name tag, a badge, or an apron or jacket.
   * Libraries can be confusing places, and your job is to help people find what they are looking for, without making them feel inadequate or silly.   * Libraries can be confusing places, and your job is to help people find what they are looking for, without making them feel inadequate or silly.
      
Line 43: Line 43:
 If possible find someone to mentor you, or who will train you to help you learn more. This method increases communication between staff. It also means that staff are involved both as trainers and as being trained. If possible find someone to mentor you, or who will train you to help you learn more. This method increases communication between staff. It also means that staff are involved both as trainers and as being trained.
  
-If there are different roving tools, make sure you are familiar with how they are used.+If there are different roving tools in your library, make sure you are familiar with how they are used.
  
-Remember : while you are away from the desk or service point you need to keep checking on the service point to see if there is anyone there who is waiting for assistance.+While you are away from the desk or service point, check on the service point to see if there is anyone there who is waiting for assistance.
  
 When beginning roving it can be helpful to have tally sheets to help track what percentage of enquiries you are answering this way. Staff can discuss the positive moments of roving reference at staff meetings. When beginning roving it can be helpful to have tally sheets to help track what percentage of enquiries you are answering this way. Staff can discuss the positive moments of roving reference at staff meetings.
  
-Use roving each time you are rostered on a reference and information services shift.+Rove each time you are rostered on a reference and information services shift.
  
 Have a look at the presentations by Woollahra and Shellharbour Libraries on how their staff rove (starting from 2 hours 36 minutes), from the 2023 reference seminar{{youtube>vxmMKLawplE?t=9412}}  Have a look at the presentations by Woollahra and Shellharbour Libraries on how their staff rove (starting from 2 hours 36 minutes), from the 2023 reference seminar{{youtube>vxmMKLawplE?t=9412}} 
Line 75: Line 75:
 Roving can be facilitated by smaller service desks and mobile technology. Think about where you might place some OPACs to help with roving reference – so you don’t have to bring the person with the question back to the desk. Would using a portable device be easier? Roving can be facilitated by smaller service desks and mobile technology. Think about where you might place some OPACs to help with roving reference – so you don’t have to bring the person with the question back to the desk. Would using a portable device be easier?
  
-Portable devices are a great way to access your library's online resources for example ebooks and databases. +Portable devices are a great way to access your library's online catalogue and other resources for example ebooks and databases. 
  
 Your roving service should enable you to resolve issues for patrons while roving.   Your roving service should enable you to resolve issues for patrons while roving.  
Line 97: Line 97:
  
   * read-a-likes   * read-a-likes
-  * Other books in a series +  * other books in a series 
-  * recommending new authors +  * new authors 
-  * supporting an author visit+  * books by a visiting author
   * a story set in a particular location   * a story set in a particular location
   * a particular genre - i.e. for a school assignment   * a particular genre - i.e. for a school assignment
-  * discovering new genres and styles+  * new genres and styles
  
 {{ :wiki:stripe5_refex.jpg |}} {{ :wiki:stripe5_refex.jpg |}}
  
-** Exercises for readers advisory**+** Exercises for readers' advisory**
  
 1. What resources does your library have to support readers' advisory questions. 1. What resources does your library have to support readers' advisory questions.
module_7_roving_reference_ref-ex.txt · Last modified: 2024/03/21 01:24 by judyatkinson