Monday, July 19, 2010
I don't know what to think about this
My former library school classmate (and Thursday games night regular) Ahniwa today posted a link to this story about the McMaster University library system getting rid of their reference desks. While I am sure that the University Librarian's stats are correct and that the library is experiencing fewer references requests each year, I wonder what the long-term impact of such a move will be. Will library users know that the library offers the range of services that they do? Is the library system inadvertently creating a generation of users (future graduate students and faculty members) unfamiliar with the types of services that might be provided by a academic reference librarian? Will library users be familiar enough with libraries so that they might initiate contact? Will it matter that "librarians will have their time freed up for interactions with faculty in their labs, offices and classrooms," as the University Librarian suggests will be the case?
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2 comments:
Thanks for the link!
I actually like this model, and think it does better for getting the librarians OUT to the students, instead of making the students come to the librarian. This will only help increase awareness of library services through more active services and promotion.
And besides, there is still a service desk, so students can come in and ask questions, and get referred to a librarian when appropriate.
I hope that you are right, but I am still a little curious about what the long-term impact of this decision will be.
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