http://rusa.ala.org/blog The Official Blog of the ALA's Reference and User Services Division Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:57:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 http://rusa.ala.org/blog/2008/02/15/free-outreach-toolkit-for-the-truth-about-cancer-film-available-to-libraries/#comment-65 Chris Cieslak Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:05:28 +0000 http://rusa.ala.org/blog/?p=53#comment-65 test again test again

]]> http://rusa.ala.org/blog/2008/02/15/free-outreach-toolkit-for-the-truth-about-cancer-film-available-to-libraries/#comment-64 Chris Cieslak Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:05:17 +0000 http://rusa.ala.org/blog/?p=53#comment-64 test comment test comment

]]> http://rusa.ala.org/blog/2007/11/14/a-new-standard-definition-of-reference/#comment-63 Anonymous Tue, 18 Dec 2007 12:10:16 +0000 http://rusa.ala.org/blog/?p=48#comment-63 Thank you for your comments. A revised definition will be presented to the RUSA Board, and posted here following the Board meeting. Thank you for your comments. A revised definition will be presented to the RUSA Board, and posted here following the Board meeting.

]]> http://rusa.ala.org/blog/2007/11/14/a-new-standard-definition-of-reference/#comment-60 Anonymous Thu, 13 Dec 2007 11:35:10 +0000 http://rusa.ala.org/blog/?p=48#comment-60 Hi, John, The charge to the RSS Evaluation of Reference and User Services Committee in 2002 was to reconsider the definition of reference, in the context of the currently used definition (which was for the reference transaction). When the RSS committee did their extensive research, they found that librarians everywhere wanted to consider more than just the work that involves intermediation, since they were busier than ever but "reference transaction" statistics were going down. Matthew Saxton did a talk for a RUSA Institute around the turn of the twentieth century, before his book about reference transactions was written, describing reference work vs. reference transactions, and I believe that this influenced the direction of the current definitions as well (but this is just my own opinion). We need to maintain both definitions, but I also agree with Paul Waak, who indicates that the "reference work" definition here is a context for the transaction definition, which is the only one currently used for accreditation and other statistical reporting. Hi, John,
The charge to the RSS Evaluation of Reference and User Services Committee in 2002 was to reconsider the definition of reference, in the context of the currently used definition (which was for the reference transaction). When the RSS committee did their extensive research, they found that librarians everywhere wanted to consider more than just the work that involves intermediation, since they were busier than ever but “reference transaction” statistics were going down. Matthew Saxton did a talk for a RUSA Institute around the turn of the twentieth century, before his book about reference transactions was written, describing reference work vs. reference transactions, and I believe that this influenced the direction of the current definitions as well (but this is just my own opinion).
We need to maintain both definitions, but I also agree with Paul Waak, who indicates that the “reference work” definition here is a context for the transaction definition, which is the only one currently used for accreditation and other statistical reporting.

]]> http://rusa.ala.org/blog/2007/11/14/a-new-standard-definition-of-reference/#comment-59 Anonymous Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:34:23 +0000 http://rusa.ala.org/blog/?p=48#comment-59 Only the transactions are being defined. The definition of reference work provides context for interpreting the transaction measures. I believe this is an effort to include, in the future, additional measures of reference service. Only the transactions are being defined. The definition of reference work provides context for interpreting the transaction measures. I believe this is an effort to include, in the future, additional measures of reference service.

]]> http://rusa.ala.org/blog/2007/11/14/a-new-standard-definition-of-reference/#comment-62 Anonymous Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:47:03 +0000 http://rusa.ala.org/blog/?p=48#comment-62 Whatever definition we end up with, I will use it for teaching reference to other librarians, conducting performance evaluations, and explaining reference services to (non-librarian) institutional stakeholders. For all three uses I prefer the RSS ERUS definition with the change of "contact" to "consultation", as others have already suggested. Whatever definition we end up with, I will use it for teaching reference to other librarians, conducting performance evaluations, and explaining reference services to (non-librarian) institutional stakeholders. For all three uses I prefer the RSS ERUS definition with the change of “contact” to “consultation”, as others have already suggested.

]]> http://rusa.ala.org/blog/2007/11/14/a-new-standard-definition-of-reference/#comment-61 Anonymous Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:28:06 +0000 http://rusa.ala.org/blog/?p=48#comment-61 I prefer the Ad Hoc Task Force version, since it suggests consultations which is closest to what our effects now entail. But I may suggest a more radical approach by pointing to the learning commons nature of activities that now are more the norm in all libraries. This suggests using words such as: assistance, information needs, strategies, collaborate, direct, navigate.. So --"information staff assist users with their information needs by directing and instructing their efforts as they answer their questions and learn the skills necessary to recognize, locate, evaluate... I prefer the Ad Hoc Task Force version, since it suggests consultations which is closest to what our effects now entail. But I may suggest a more radical approach by pointing to the learning commons nature of activities that now are more the norm in all libraries. This suggests using words such as: assistance, information needs, strategies, collaborate, direct, navigate.. So –”information staff assist users with their information needs by directing and instructing their efforts as they answer their questions and learn the skills necessary to recognize, locate, evaluate…

]]> http://rusa.ala.org/blog/2007/11/14/a-new-standard-definition-of-reference/#comment-58 Anonymous Thu, 06 Dec 2007 14:42:52 +0000 http://rusa.ala.org/blog/?p=48#comment-58 Two different things are being defined here: "reference work" (the scope of what a reference librarian does) and "reference transaction" (the basis for reporting statistics about reference encounters with our publics). These are not interchangeable definitions. They serve two different purposes. Reference transactions represent a part of our work as reference librarians: the part where we are interacting directly with our constituent publics in an information exchange. Reference transactions statistics have been gathered for decades using the definitions shown here to differentiate between substantive information exchanges and simple directional assistance. These distinctions have been the basis for statistics reported to accrediting agencies and other statistical reporting agencies. The agencies gathering these statistics have only been interested in documenting this one "reference transactions" aspect of our reference work (although website use statistics, which also can reflect some of our reference work, are often requested separately): they don't usually even ask about directional assistance statistics. The definition of what reference librarians actually do in their jobs (what "reference" is) is much broader than this simple breakdown of two types of transactions. What is a bit confusing here is what are we supposed to be defining: what are reference/directional transactions or what consitutes reference work? Two different things are being defined here: “reference work” (the scope of what a reference librarian does) and “reference transaction” (the basis for reporting statistics about reference encounters with our publics). These are not interchangeable definitions. They serve two different purposes. Reference transactions represent a part of our work as reference librarians: the part where we are interacting directly with our constituent publics in an information exchange. Reference transactions statistics have been gathered for decades using the definitions shown here to differentiate between substantive information exchanges and simple directional assistance. These distinctions have been the basis for statistics reported to accrediting agencies and other statistical reporting agencies. The agencies gathering these statistics have only been interested in documenting this one “reference transactions” aspect of our reference work (although website use statistics, which also can reflect some of our reference work, are often requested separately): they don't usually even ask about directional assistance statistics. The definition of what reference librarians actually do in their jobs (what “reference” is) is much broader than this simple breakdown of two types of transactions. What is a bit confusing here is what are we supposed to be defining: what are reference/directional transactions or what consitutes reference work?

]]> http://rusa.ala.org/blog/2007/11/14/a-new-standard-definition-of-reference/#comment-57 Anonymous Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:52:22 +0000 http://rusa.ala.org/blog/?p=48#comment-57 I much prefer the draft definition developed by RSS in 2006 because it includes the range of proactive endeavors that reference librarians should be involved in: creating Web sites, liaison activities, etc. Today's successful reference librarian can't just sit at the desk waiting for patrons to come to them, even if they do it by phone, email, chat, or IM. I also think the word "consultation" is more appropriate than "contact" for a reference transaction. I much prefer the draft definition developed by RSS in 2006 because it includes the range of proactive endeavors that reference librarians should be involved in: creating Web sites, liaison activities, etc. Today's successful reference librarian can't just sit at the desk waiting for patrons to come to them, even if they do it by phone, email, chat, or IM. I also think the word “consultation” is more appropriate than “contact” for a reference transaction.

]]> http://rusa.ala.org/blog/2007/11/14/a-new-standard-definition-of-reference/#comment-56 Anonymous Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:17:47 +0000 http://rusa.ala.org/blog/?p=48#comment-56 I also support the definition proposed by the Evaluation of Reference and User Services (ERUS) Committee (January 22, 2006). This definition was created after a long and thorough period of information gathering and surveying of reference librarians and the professional literature in order to make sure that the definition captured the essence of a reference transaction. It also differentiates this exchange from a bibliographic/library instruction session, an important distinction which the other definitions do not make. The ERUS definition of reference work includes assessment, which is missing from the other definitions, and yet such an important component of this work. I also support the definition proposed by the Evaluation of Reference and User Services (ERUS) Committee (January 22, 2006). This definition was created after a long and thorough period of information gathering and surveying of reference librarians and the professional literature in order to make sure that the definition captured the essence of a reference transaction. It also differentiates this exchange from a bibliographic/library instruction session, an important distinction which the other definitions do not make. The ERUS definition of reference work includes assessment, which is missing from the other definitions, and yet such an important component of this work.

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