We have a single Subject Information Desk at the University of Derby Library, staffed by qualified librarians (including subject librarians) on a rota.
I am being asked to chair a small group to generally look into ways of improving our subject enquiry help .
I know that this has been asked before but I would be very grateful if you could tell me what you do at your library & possibly answer the questions below.
It would be great to receive a lot of replies & please make the replies as personal & anecdotal as you want. Please don't feel you have to be the person responsible for the service to answer this and if you don't want your library to be mentioned by name at all, please say & I will keep any answers anonymous.
David Clark
Subject Librarian Science & Technology
University of Derby Library
Kedleston Rd
Derby
DE22 1GB
01332 591203
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What sort of subject enquiry service desk do you provide (if any) & where is (are) it located? - e.g. single subject help desk / help desks on each floor / combined help desk
Who staffs the desks which deal with subject & library searches enquiries? (eg subject librarians, qualified librarians, others) and how many staff are involved?
How many qualified staff does your library have?
When are the desks staffed (ie core hours, evenings, weekends etc)?
What shifts do you have if on a rota?
Do users have immediate access to subject librarians at the desk(s) or is there a referral service?
Is there any "roving" subject help & who does this & when?
Has the service changed at all in the last few years & if so how & why? Has a new service been introduced & how did this work?
Do you have a single "Resource Discovery Service" (eg single access journals search) & if so what is it. Has it affected the subject enquiry service in terms of the number of enquires received & the type of subject enquiry? If possible can you be specific please?
Do you use any "virtual enquiry service" (e.g. instant messaging or others). If so which one is it, who looks after it, is it effective & well used, or are you thinking of removing it?
Do you have an "out of hours" enquiry service?
What sort of training do desk staff receive and how often?
Do you think your subject enquiry desk service works or would you like to see it changed & how?
Any other comments?
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