Inviting student employees to work – a scheduling system built with free google applications

Replacing staff with students to monitor LibChat service: transition process and lessons learned

“…These traits are not necessarily limited to professional librarians. Fundamental to student assistants performing reference services at a high level is their understanding of the quality standard, a commitment to said standard and their completion of training necessary to perform at that designated level (Barrett and Greenberg, 2018;Bennett and Stout, 2021;Canuel et al, 2019;Faix, 2014;Harrington et al, 2021;Langan, 2012;Tang, 2020;Stanfield and Palmer, 2010). A review of training programs for student assistants who work closely with library users will illustrate the keys to success in training students for reference duties.…”

“…Also, the accountability inherent in reference activities requires schedule adherence and the development of effective time management practices on the part of the student assistants. This is a requisite competency for their undergraduate experience and essential to success in almost any post-college job arena (Tang, 2020). Collegiality is another skill set helpful in the professional arena, and it can be acquired through peer-to-peer engagement within the reference services context.…”

“…It is critically important that student assistants be responsible and proactive in communicating any scheduling conflicts (Tang, 2020). Over time, as student assistants transition to more responsibility for covering chat service, it is imperative that they can be depended upon by communicating any scheduling issues promptly.…”

“…, 2019; Faix, 2014; Harrington et al. , 2021; Langan, 2012; Tang, 2020; Stanfield and Palmer, 2010). A review of training programs for student assistants who work closely with library users will illustrate the keys to success in training students for reference duties.…”