The Stacks Drifter Roving Reference at the Leonard

The Stacks Drifter: Roving Reference at the Leonard Lief Library of Lehman College ROSSY MENDEZ LIS 698 - SEMINAR AND PRACTICUM SPRING 2014

About the library �The Leonard Lief Library at Lehman College is in Bronx, NY �The library is part of the CUNY consortium. � Federal repository for government documents.

The Space/Collections � Computer areas, quiet areas and cubicles for study � Group study rooms available through reservation. � Several collections including government documents, recordings, children’s book and archival material.

Library Services �Freshman students are required to take a three sessions on Information Literacy �Laptops, i. Pads, and e. Readers may be borrowed at the Circulation Desk, USB, headphones and staplers available at reference desk. �Librarians available at reference desk, 24/7 text and email via Question Point, phone and roving services are provided during set hours. �Librarians could also be embedded, professors might ask subject librarians to create research guides and be available for questions from their students.

Main Tasks Main responsibilities: �Working at Reference desk (~4 hrs a week) �Roving Reference (~4 hrs week) Other projects: �Electronic File Management (creating a naming convention) �E-Books tutorials �Attending workshops, lectures and information literacy classes (not required but encouraged)

Area of Assistance Directional 8 25% Technical 9 28% Reference 15 47%

Summary of Roving Reference Project � Estimated number of hours: 18 hours � 2 x a week, 2 hrs a day � All four floors including labs, fine arts room and education and periodical areas. � Methods: -Make several rounds walking on each floor with the i. Pad looking for and asking students if they need assistance. -Keep track of statistics on comment form (staff version) provide students with feedback form for comments

Type of Assistance 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Finding Books Research Printing Word Blackboard Devices Other

Floors of Assistance 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Location [Third floor] Location [Second floor] Location [First floor] Location [Concourse - Location [Concourse Lab] Other]

Challenges/Observations �When asked if they needed assistance majority of students responded “no thanks” or looked confused �The library is used a lot for group work and sleeping �There was a lot of questions about printing primarily where to print Personal Challenges: �Overcoming shyness and accepting rejection �Learning to read body language to know when students need assistance �Limiting time spent offering assistance to maximize interactions

Recommendations �Continued analysis of the effectiveness of the program �More visibility and awareness of the service -Librarian should have button or jacket that is legible and visible from distance -posters are on billboards but should be placed in more prominent area of library -consider texting/push app service for librarian to assist those on the floor

Thank You!!!