ROSSY MENDEZLIS 698- SEMINAR AND PRACTICUM

SPRING 2014

The Stacks Drifter:  Roving Reference at the Leonard Lief

Library of Lehman College

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 studyGroup 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, iPads, and eReaders 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

Reference15

47%

Technical9

28%

Directional8

25%

Estimated number of hours: 18 hours

2x a week, 2hrs 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 iPad 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

Summary of Roving Reference Project

Type of Assistance

Finding Books

Research Printing Word Blackboard Devices Other0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Floors of Assistance

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

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 sleepingThere was a lot of questions about printing primarily

where to printPersonal Challenges:Overcoming shyness and accepting rejection Learning to read body language to know when

students need assistanceLimiting 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!!!