Reaching out: connecting students to their personal librarian

Purpose - This paper aims to highlight how librarians at Texas Tech University Libraries are thinking outside the box. Librarians launched services in a number of directions by creating new service points through videos, QR code signs, and roving reference. Personal librarians use videos to introduc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Reference services review 2012-08, Vol.40 (3), p.396-407
Main Authors: Henry, Cynthia L., Vardeman, Kimberly K., Syma, Carrye K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic libraries
College campuses
Colleges & universities
Educational technology
Exact sciences and technology
Information and communication sciences
Information science. Documentation
Librarians
Library and information science. General aspects
Marketing
Professional aspects
Professional aspects : training, employment
Quick Response
Reference services
Sciences and techniques of general use
Students
Video
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Summary:Purpose - This paper aims to highlight how librarians at Texas Tech University Libraries are thinking outside the box. Librarians launched services in a number of directions by creating new service points through videos, QR code signs, and roving reference. Personal librarians use videos to introduce themselves, allowing the patron to relate to the librarian on a personal level. Signs with QR codes are posted in areas of the library to assist patrons in locating materials, rooms, or services. Roving reference allows librarians to step out of the library, meeting patrons' needs across campus.Design methodology approach - The literature is limited on libraries utilizing videos to promote librarians and roving reference. This paper examines in detail services deployed in the last two years at Texas Tech University Libraries.Findings - The reaction to these services has been mixed. Students responded that videos and roving reference have a personal touch and meet patrons at their point of need. Students have not adopted the QR code technology.Research limitations implications - Unfortunately, these new services do not have long-term statistics to evaluate.Practical implications - The paper acts as a guide to implementing marketing in academic libraries, QR codes, and reference services off the desk. Other libraries can implement the services described.Originality value - The novelty of this research is the creative way the librarians approached the needs of the patrons.
ISSN:0090-7324
2054-1716
DOI:10.1108/00907321211254661