Electronic Journal of Academic & Special LIbrarianship

This may not be new for some of you but I just came across it and it looks like there are some interesting topics explored. The description states, "We are committed to covering all aspects of academic and special librarianship without regard to region or country," and it is entirely open access. Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship

Leave your name :o)

When I established the settings I think I set it to not show the name of the person posting (because I put the default as E. Field - clever huh?) and now I can't find that setting option to change it! If you think of it, please add your name to the end of a post so we know whose great ideas we're reading! Also if you want to set up your own username/password, I emailed invitations so you can set up your own name to post under. The blog is set up so only authors can read and post, this way avoiding unwanted readers! -Megan

News from your Friendly Neighborhood Librarian ...

Beginning in the fall semester, I was thinking of sending out emails to my liaison departments with the subject of "News from your Friendly Neighborhood Librarian." The emails would be sent once a month and include information related to their department about interesting websites, new books that have arrived, related articles, and basic library services. They would be short in nature so as not to be overwhelming. Any thoughts or comments?

"Do you have a fax machine I can use?"

I just learned of an open source application called drop.io that operates like a fax machine -- you select the .doc or .pdf you want to send, type in the fax number and poof! It's free, it's fast and it's easy. http://drop.io/fax

Living Library - borrow a person!

Fun article about a program at a library in England called the Living Library! A collection of "interesting" persons is developed and cataloged (in the form a handout describing the people who are available to be checked out). The collection in this case is, of course, made up of real people, everyday citizens. Patrons select who they want to check out and have a 1/2 hour to spend talking to that person. Some of the people who were checked out were "Muslim," "Gay Man," and "Alternative Medicine Therapist." The descriptions were comically stereotypical to highlight the interesting lifestyle choices or ideas each "living book" could offer. What a great idea to inspire open-mindedness, critical thinking, and tolerance through the library! Could this work with students???

Dealing with "Rogue Assignments"

C&RL News posted this article about dealing with "Rogue Assignments" that come to the reference desk. She's referring to those assignments we see every so often directing students to use a resource that the library does not have, or to research a topic that we simply don't have enough content to support. There are some good ideas, some of which we already use, for dealing with these assignments immediately so the student is not frustrated by a perceived lack of library services. I think the most important part, as is described here, is contacting the instructor and tactfully addressing the issue. This, of course, is one of the fun parts of my job! We definitely get assignments that would benefit from some subtle librarian intervention. Or at the very least, an explanation to the faculty member that using an electronic database is NOT the same as using the Internet, which they have forbidden their students to do. I haven't contacted any faculty yet on an issue like this, but if you see an assignment that could use some tweaking, I'd be happy to approach faculty with suggestions for how the library can benefit their assignment.

This blog would be a good forum for sharing how we deal with such assignments and what we've suggested students try, so we're not each reinventing our own little wheel.

Introduction

This blog is for the Reference Librarians at RVCC's Evelyn S. Field Library only. It will allow us to communicate with each other as often as needed, comment on each other's thoughts, and keep up to date with what everyone is thinking and experiencing at the reference desk. There is no obligation to post, comment or read, but it might be a useful way for us to all keep in touch. Anything related to your time here at the reference desk can be shared. Happy blogging!