Initiating engineering outreach reference services: background and practice

Abstract

PurposeThis paper seeks to present a history of the initiations of an outreach or satellite reference service and analysis based on experience with the project.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology involved an online survey, e‐mail queries, and in‐person surveys.FindingsA successful program was initiated in one site, but a second site failed to thrive. Evaluation of the second site led to the creation of criteria by which to judge future sites.Research limitations/implicationsThis article contains a survey which is not statistically valid, which offers anecdotal insight into current reference outreach practice. A method of creating an outreach program is offered, along with pitfalls associated with that method.Practical implicationsThis article offers a method of evaluation for physical sites external to the library that may be potential sites of reference services.Originality/valueBuilds on current practice in engineering libraries and creates a more concrete method for initiating these sites than currently exists in engineering library literature.

Lab-Integrated Librarians: A Model for Research Engagement

“…The informationist role within healthcare settings arose as a proposed solution to closing the "literature-practice gap," the growing divide between the best available evidence in the literature and the actual practice of healthcare workers. 23 The informationist role differs substantially from remote or satellite reference services in that it does not recreate the passive reference model in a new location; 24 rather, it positions the librarian as an active, integrated member of the clinical team who can respond to information needs as they occur. 25 While the role and effectiveness of the informationist is well established in clinical settings, 26 successful examples of implementations of researcher-focused informationist services are relatively scarce, especially outside the health sciences.…”

Beyond the Walls: Outreach Initiatives in Library, University of Moratuwa

“…According to Huber et al (2011), time constraints or commitments, staffing, scheduling and absenteeism, inadequate space, and issues associated with technology were the barriers in conducting outreach activities.Lack of proper funding sources creates many barriers for these outreach activities. Nelson (2007) from University of Purdue has conducted a survey to identify libraries' outreach activities to improve reference services. In his study, 74% of respondents had indicated that there was no change in the budget allocation for outreach activities during last five years.…”

The Live-In Librarian

“…3 At academic libraries, that is often taken to mean extending services beyond the university community; however, it also includes targeted efforts to encourage greater library use by students and faculty. 4 In recent literature, the particular version of academic outreach that has garnered most attention is arguably the simplest: taking librarians out of the library.…”