The Library
Our library serves a selective, private, liberal arts college located south of Boston. The college has a 2300-plus student population and 151 full-time faculty. The Library, build in 1998, is a three-story structure. Circulation, the reference desk, the library’s reference collection and the library café are on the first floor of the library. Also located on the first floor are 28 computers which are available both to the college community and outside users. The first floor also houses a library instruction classroom that features a pc, a projector, a screen and 22 computer workstations. The lab computers are available only to members of the college community. The first floor also features two black and white printers, one book scanner, and two photocopy machines. On this floor you'll also find a number of large-size tables that can accommodate groups of eight or more students. The first floor is considered to the “loud floor” where group work takes place.
The library’s second and third floors are considered to be the library’s “quiet” floors. The second floor houses study space, study rooms that are available for reserve and the library’s print journal and government documents collection.
The Library’s third floor houses quiet study space as well as the college’s writing center and offices for the college’s department of academic assistance, which helps coordinate assistance (including technological accommodations)for students who need them and coordinates tutors and provides tutor training.
The Reference Desk
The reference desk is located directly opposite the library’s main entrance. It features an elevated desk with two computer work stations. It is usually staffed by one reference librarian. At times, it is also staffed by a student reference assistant in addition to the reference librarian.
The reference desk hours are as follows:
Sunday 10 am - 10 pm
Mon-Thurs. 9 am - 10 pm
Friday 9 am - 8 pm
Saturday 10 am - 8 pm
During those times, students can contact the librarian in person, by phone, by email, or by text. Reference librarians keep track of the types of transactions they engage in. Those transactions fall into the following categories.
Directional - Which of the computer labs has SPSS? Do you have a color printer?
Technical – How can I use the iVina book scanner to capture and image from an 19th century periodical?
Print – I am looking for a scholarly monograph about Edmund Spenser. Where do I find one?
Electronic – I found the abstract of an article in Science Direct. How do I know if we have the full text?
Microfilm/fiche – The number, and type of transactions we have relating to microform
The IT Department
The library and the IT department operative cooperatively but autonomously. The library's systems department is responsible for the library's catalogs, electronic resources, web pages, and ebook collections, among other items. The IT department is responsible for the installation and upkeep of the hardware and much of the software within the library.
The IT Department
The library and the IT department operative cooperatively but autonomously. The library's systems department is responsible for the library's catalogs, electronic resources, web pages, and ebook collections, among other items. The IT department is responsible for the installation and upkeep of the hardware and much of the software within the library.
Observations
- Students seem intimidated by the reference desk.
- Students are hesitant to approach a librarian.
- Increasingly, student seek reference help via phone, email or text.
- Many reference questions can be answered by trained work-study reference desk assistance.
- A more welcoming, comfortable space is needed to consult with students who need more in-depth research and reference assistance.
- Students who do appear at the desk often want tech help with the following
- Scanners
- Color printers
- Transparencies
- Copying
- Multi-media options (viewing videos)
