Reference Services Review ( IF 0.933 ) Pub Date : 2020-10-26 , DOI: 10.1108/rsr-05-2020-0036 Karlene T. Clark , Holly M. Gabriel , Kristen Borysewicz
Purpose
This paper aims to describe both the development of a peer research consultant program – using student assistants to staff the reference desk with minimal supervision while providing high-quality research assistance to their undergraduate peers, and the steps taken to create buy-in for the program from campus and librarians.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors provide a description of peer reference services and describe how a remodel of the library building facilitated a redesign of services. The paper covers the process of developing program guidelines, securing funding, expectations of peer research consultants, the training process and lessons learned from a medium-sized academic library.
Findings
The findings after the first year demonstrate that undergraduates are highly skilled at providing high-quality reference services when provided with quality training and support. In addition, undergraduate students are now seeking out peer researchers for assistance with research items such as topic formation, keyword development in databases and proper citations.
Research limitations/implications
No formal research or assessment of the program has been completed as of this time.
Practical implications
Well-trained Peer Research Consultants (PRCs) provide valued assistance to librarians in freshman composition classes, at the Ask Us reference desk, and to their peers. The program has allowed librarians to provide more outreach to their subject areas.
Social implications
Students prefer going to their peers for research assistance rather than a professional librarian when given the choice. The training the PRCs are provided by librarians provides credibility and trust, which encourages undergraduate students to approach PRCs for assistance.
Originality/value
This paper draws on multiple iterations of peer reference models to create an original program, involving training student employees to provide reference services at a paraprofessional level, as well as providing the methodology for other academic libraries to develop and launch a similar program.
中文翻译:
北达科他大学切斯特·弗里茨图书馆的本科同行研究顾问计划的开发,实施和重要性
目的
本文旨在描述同伴研究顾问计划的发展-使用学生助理在不加监督的情况下为参考台配备人员,同时为本科生同伴提供高质量的研究帮助,以及为该计划创建支持的步骤来自校园和图书馆员。
设计/方法/方法
作者提供了对等参考服务的描述,并描述了图书馆建设的重塑如何促进服务的重新设计。该文件涵盖了制定计划指南的过程,获得资金,同行研究顾问的期望,培训过程以及从中型学术图书馆中学到的课程。
发现
第一年后的调查结果表明,本科生在提供高质量的培训和支持后,会熟练地提供高质量的参考服务。另外,本科生现在正在寻找同伴研究人员,以协助研究项目,例如主题形成,数据库中的关键词开发和适当的引用。
研究局限/意义
到目前为止,尚未完成对该程序的正式研究或评估。
实际影响
训练有素的对等研究顾问(PRC)在大一新生作文班,在Ask Us参考咨询台及其同僚中为馆员提供有价值的帮助。该计划使图书馆员可以在其学科领域提供更多的外展服务。
社会影响
如果可以选择的话,学生更喜欢去同龄人寻求研究帮助,而不是专业的图书馆员。由图书馆员提供的PRC培训提供了信誉和信任,这鼓励大学生向PRC寻求帮助。
创意/价值
本文利用同行参考模型的多次迭代来创建一个原始程序,其中包括培训学生员工在准专业级别提供参考服务,以及为其他学术图书馆开发和启动类似程序提供方法。