Is instruction an important part of reference services?
Posted by: Jessica Moyer
The first time I taught the required introductory course on reference and information services I only briefly mentioned library instruction and information literacy. In hindsight, this felt this was a serious oversight as instruction had always been a large and important of my work as a reference librarian. Now I’ve added an assignment and class day devoted to instruction. Later on in their studies students have the option of taking an entire class devoted to instruction, but I feel it is important for them to have an introduction early on.
One reason for my increased emphasis on instruction came from a session on reference services and library education at last year’s Reference Renaissance conference, about the disconnect between introductory reference courses and entry level reference librarian jobs. What do you think? Should instruction be part of an introductory reference course? How much time should be devoted to instruction? What topics should be covered? Is instruction an important part of work as a reference librarian?
July 20th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
I agree with you – information literacy is very important for academic reference librarians, and also for public librarians, who have to give presentations. Many hiring committees these days want to see a teaching demonstration or presentation during the interview.
If I were doing something like this, I’d probably give it at least a couple of days of attention. I’d cover designing a presentation, complete with learning outcomes, and include hands-on activities to show them the kinds of things they could do. For example, I might ask them to do a small group brainstorming exercise, planning a session and then presenting it (briefly) to the rest of the class.
July 21st, 2009 at 5:56 pm
When I was in library school (1977-78), client instruction was not part of the curriculum for public libraries. I am uncertain about whether it was for academic librarians. We were, however, told that it is always helpful to explain what you are doing, which serves somewhat as informal instruction. I think that is still our main instruction in public libraries. I offer classes in using reference tools and no one comes. We are, however, having some success at “Book a Librarian”, our program to instruct on a need basis. A client says that she needs instruction on almost anything (often computer related) and we schedule a half hour or hour to work with her. Otherwise, we mostly instruct walk-ups as needed, again mostly technical. We tally “instructional” and it is a growing part of our work.
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:49 am
Thanks for the ideas Laura! Rick, your “Book a Librarian” program sounds like a great option for a public library. I will make sure to mention that as an example in my next reference class. It’s a service that is common in academic libraries, but this is the first time I’ve heard about it in a public library. Thanks for sharing!