[560] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
REFERENCE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS MEETING IN SAN FRANCISCO
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (JCLARK%VCUVAX.BITNET@mitvma.mit.ed)
Mon Jun 22 11:31:07 1992
Date: Mon, 22 Jun 1992 10:23:26 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
From: JCLARK%VCUVAX.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
RASD MOPSS Performance Standards
for Reference/Information Librarians
Discussion Group
will be meeting in San Francisco on SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 9:30 A.M.
in the MARRIOTT ROOM 5A.
This group discusses issues relating to how we as reference
librarians uphold high standards of service. This year we will be
discussing how to work with changing and multiplying technologies
and command languages (CD-ROMs, the Internet, and multiple
databases on the online catalog) and how to match the right source
to the user's question and ability. We will focus on librarian
performance, librarian strategies for dealing successfully with the
pressure, librarian morale, and training strategies.
Please come, contribute your experience and learn from your
colleagues.
The questions discussed at the midwinter meeting on January 25 1992
in San Antonio were:
1) Should there be a "Master Librarian" designation to reward
reference librarians who excell at reference service, and do
not want to move into administration?
First of all, what is a master librarian? Someone who knows
everything well or is a specialist in one area? (No agreement
here) And, since everything changes so quickly, how can
anyone ever know everything? Doesn't the very idea of master
librarian sound like an end in itself? (Like tenure)
What methods would be used to measure expertness? Possible
answers: peer acclaim, national certification standards as
used in medical librarianship, service to the profession,
service to the department. Apparently, the University of
California has a dual track system: expert/manager. It was
decided that this idea has potential and may be pursued with
a speaker at a future meeting.
2) How do reference departments cope with financial pressures
and keep up performance standards?
Cutbacks have included: substituting self-paced computer
instruction for basic library skills classes; using librarians
from other departments at the reference desk; using
paraprofessionals and students at the reference desk; cutting
reference desk hours; dropping term paper advisory service;
cutting trailing services (like online searching). [One
library does an annual student survey to determine which
services are most prized by the students.] Question: Who
decides (and how and when) a department should "bleed visibly"
/ cut a popular service? (no answers on that one).
Concerned about morale during hard times, librarians had some
suggestions for maintaining good morale: Assure people that
they have jobs. Work together as a group to decide priorities
and how to handle cuts. Set realistic goals for projects that
actually can be completed during the coming year, so staff
members can have a sense of accomplishment at evaluation time.
