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10. REFERENCE

10.1 Scope

An open shelf non-circulating reference collection of selected information sources shall be maintained.

The criteria for the selection of reference materials are:

1. Judged usefulness of the publication, considering the existing collection.
2. Strengths and weaknesses of the existing collection related to current needs of the university.
3. Favorable reviews or inclusion in basic reference collection guides.
4. Reputation of the author.
5. Currency of the topic.
6. Date of publication.
7. Price of the publication.
8. Language of the publication.

10.2 Reference Desk

An information desk, separate from the circulation desk and easily accessible, shall be maintained and staffed to provide individual assistance and instruction to library patrons.

The Government Documents Librarian will propose a desk schedule for the approval of the library faculty prior to the beginning of each session. The library faculty may be assigned information desk duty (including evenings and weekends) as necessary to provide assistance to patrons.

The information desk will be staffed by library faculty in a manner consistent with intensity of patron demand and available personnel. All librarians may be assigned.

Telephone reference questions will be answered by the librarian on duty at the Information Desk as time permits. However, inquiries by patrons in the building shall have priority over those made by telephone.

The library faculty shall meet to adjust the information desk schedule to reflect non-duty days in each librarian?s assignment. Except in cases of illness or other unforeseen circumstances, the librarian assigned an information desk time shall have primary responsibility for making suitable arrangements for a substitute. The Government Documents Librarian will coordinate desk coverage for unscheduled absences.

10.3 Reference Desk Librarian

The librarian on duty at the Reference Desk serves as general reference librarian and, when the only librarian on duty, provides general library supervision.

Responsibilities:

1. Maintains an inviting presence and provides reference service, library instruction, and referral service to library patrons upon request and as needed.
2. Maintains a knowledge of reference techniques, the existing reference and general collections, recently added materials, and existing interlibrary loan capabilities.
3. Cultivates an awareness of the college curriculum and special assignments demanding use of library resources and communicates special situations to library colleagues.
4. Provides instruction in the use of machines used in conjunction with library resources (e.g., copy machines, micro-readers) and reports malfunctions when they occur.
5. Recommends materials for consideration and purchase based upon needs identified in providing reference assistance.
6. Responds to telephone inquiries as time permits.
7. Assumes the responsibility for closing and locking procedures in the absence of janitorial, responsible library faculty, or campus security personnel.
8. Takes action which in his/her best judgment responds to unusual immediate situations which may arise.

10.4 Library Bibliographic Instruction

Formal classroom instruction in library skills will be offered by the library faculty and coordinated by the Instruction/Reference Librarian. Instruction may be initiated by the library faculty or as a response to faculty request. Instruction can be made available in the library or the faculty member?s classroom.

10.5 Fax Reference Requests

Materials may be faxed if, in the opinion of the Reference Librarian on duty, faxing is consistent with our commitment to regional service. Faxes outside of the local calling area are only rarely sent. Generally, faxes will be used to send brief information that would be difficult to convey over the telephone; e.g., a table of figures. The librarian on duty is responsible for sending the fax.

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