Integrating an Engineering Library's Public Services Desk: Multiple Perspectives.

Theme: Reference and More

Authors

  • Jill Powell
  • Marybeth Michelson-Thiery
  • Linda Bryan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29173/istl2086

Abstract

Launching a new outreach initiative and renovating the library provide both an incentive and an opportunity to redesign service points and reexamine how staff can best meet the needs of their users. The Engineering Library at Cornell University recently merged separate reference and circulation desks into a single service area for a number of reasons. This process was made smoother by integrating the multiple perspectives and concerns of those affected by the change. The help of a staff development specialist, team building exercises, small cross-functional working groups, and provisions for cross training were all built into the process. Considering all points of view was an essential part of the process and its outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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References

Atkinson, J. 2003. Managing Change and Embedding Innovation in Academic Libraries and Information Services. The New Review of Academic Librarianship, 9 (1), 25-41.

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Flanagan, P. and Horowitz, L.R. 2000. Exploring New Service Models: Can Consolidating Public Service Points Improve Response To Customer Needs? The Journal of Academic Librarianship 26 (5): 329-338.

McDermott, M.H. 2001. Staffing The Reference Desk: Improving Service Through Cross-Training and Other Programs. Legal Reference Services Quarterly 19(1/2): 207-219.

Mozenter, F., Sanders, B.T., and Bellamy, C. 2003. Cross-Training Public Service Staff in the Electronic Age: I Have to Learn to Do What?! The Journal of Academic Librarianship 29(6): 399-404.

Naismith, R. 2004. Combining Circulation and Reference Functions at One Desk. Journal of Access Services 2 (3):15-20.

Powell, J., Wells, T., Leary, J., et. al. 2006. Blackboard courses, Engineering Research Strategies, Express Train Demo. [Online]. Available: http://www.blackboard.cornell.edu [May 4, 2006].

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Published

2007-02-01

How to Cite

Powell, J., Michelson-Thiery, M., & Bryan, L. (2007). Integrating an Engineering Library’s Public Services Desk: Multiple Perspectives.: Theme: Reference and More. Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship, (49). https://doi.org/10.29173/istl2086

Issue

No. 49 (2007): Winter (Theme: Reference and More)

Section

Board Accepted Articles

License

While ISTL has always been open access and authors have always retained the copyright of their papers without restrictions, articles in issues prior to no.75 were not licensed with Creative Commons licenses. Since issue no. 75 (Winter 2014), ISTL has licensed its work through Creative Commons licenses. Please refer to the Copyright and Licensing Information page for more information.

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