Monday, August 6, 2007

Where do you answer?

When working the LC desk, do you answer questions at the desk, out in the LC, at patron's computers, or where? Someone asked me if we go out to patron's computers to answer questions. What do you say?
Posted by at

3 comments:

Amy said...

It depends on the question. If it's an in-depth printer/computer question I always head over to the patron's computer.

In my experience it seems like most reference questions come from people on their way into the LC. In other words, they have not chosen a computer yet. Therefore I answer most reference questions at the reference desk.

August 7, 2007 at 6:58 AM
Josh W. said...

Similar to Amy...seems like the computer-problem people are already logged in, so it makes sense to go over to investigate the problem. The reference question types usually are on their way in.

I haven't usually been in the position to say, "Oh, you're just getting started, let's sit at a computer and I'll show you around." But then, it's hard to see that situation coming sometimes. It often starts as a "how do I find this article?" question and evolves. Not sure when it makes sense to stop the instruction, move to another computer, and re-start.

August 7, 2007 at 8:39 AM
Unknown said...

I agree here, too. If I go to a patron's computer, it's because they need help printing or doing something on the computer.

August 7, 2007 at 11:00 AM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)