Content from Twitter
| From: | Thu Sep 13 18:00:00 PDT 2012 |
| To: | Thu Sep 13 19:15:00 PDT 2012 |
| CarolinaFan1982 | Roy here in VA, while no wine around, I have had a beer or two this afteroon :) @eagledawg #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | Welcome to another #medlibs chat everyone! Introduce yourselves, where you're at & what's your drink this evening. | |
| krafty | #medlibs I'm here, was supposed to swim but husband got sick. | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @krafty lucky us as you get to join us for the chat #medlibs | |
| mscully66 | #medlibs Mike, Seattle, hospital librarian | |
| eagledawg | Hello, my name is Nikki in Seattle. I have an Arctic Rhino coffee porter in my Disneyland mug. #medlibs http://t.co/jEKb5B3a | |
| mscully66 | #medlibs Oops! Left off the drink part: tap water | |
| ericschnell | Eric here in C-bus. Great Lakes Wright Pils #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @eagledawg we only have chocolate and ale here in VA, coffee could be interesting.
#medlibs | |
| RyloLH | Ryan here from Baltimore I have a Flying Dog Belgian Style by my side
#medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs My name is Michelle. I'm at the Cleveland Clinic. I have no microbrew today, didn't make it to the store. Just popcorn and coke. | |
| eagledawg | @mehlibrarian @CarolinaFan1982 @krafty (quick, get beer!) @mscully66 (likewise ;) @ericschnell (nice choice!) welcome to #medlibs tonight! | |
| nursefriendly | @MedEdChat Andrew Lopez, RN from #NewJersey, lurking for the most part :) #medlibs #rnchat #meded | |
| eagledawg | @mehlibrarian I really like it, not too heavy of a coffee flavor to drown out the ale. Plus it's been the kind of day I need both #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs using new blue bird tweetdeck and it is doing very well. Think I will give up my yellow bird version .38 | |
| eagledawg | @RyloLH another good choice & @nursefriendly welcome and congrats on multichat lurking! #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @krafty That is the one I have been using and not had many problems #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs So who is doing alternative reference? | |
| mehlibrarian | @eagledawg I'll check it out next time I'm at the store. I need coffee every morning and regularly throughout the day.
#medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @krafty So I guess we need to define alternative reference. Anything not contained to the library? just thinking outloud #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @krafty I found it very hard to give up desk work, but the email requests and contacts we make for consults are more satisfying.
#medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @krafty Used to have on call ref hrs, now chat-based & consult appts. Working on process using READ scale http://t.co/dqhA3Vel #medlibs | |
| s_schulte | define alternative. i we are. RT @krafty: #medlibs So who is doing alternative reference? | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @mehlibrarian @krafty You know I agree, except I cannot even be on here without the nurses I serve asking me questions :) #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | Donna Berryman here - sorry, a little late to join.... #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @s_schulte @krafty I think it is anything outside what has been viewed as traditional roles for reference services #medlibs | |
| ericschnell | We moved to a librarian consultation on call service with the desk staff trained to handle most of the basic reference questions #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs Good pointe, What is alternative ref? I don't know. | |
| blevinsa | Amy from University of Iowa. Drinking water since I didn't realize I was out of beer. #medlibs | |
| RyloLH | We do lots of consults, chat, and use Ask Us page provided by SpringShare which I think is alternative ref #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @BerrymanD never late, welcome to #medlibs! Others pls jump in as you're able. Like @blevinsa w/her tragic beer status news. | |
| RyloLH | More about Ask Us, has a search box where you type a question if we've populated it with an answer that fits patron gets an answer #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | I do consistent office hours in the school I serve, which develops into consults & getting involved in all sorts of things #medlibs | |
| blevinsa | We have a single point of service desk so librarians do circ functions, point to bathrooms and occasionally answer ref questions. #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | What about contacts while walking around. @blevinsa How could you? #medlibs | |
| mscully66 | @blevinsa Our sympathies about the beer. #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs We've tried chat ref and it didn't take off. More emails and phone calls and we still have pretty busy traditional ref desk | |
| blevinsa | I like working the desk. Gives me a chance to see students and interact with coworkers not on my floor. #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | #medlibs so is 'traditional' reference desk no longer standard reference service? | |
| aldricham | Alison also in C-bus, no beverage #medlibs | |
| krafty | .@blevinsa #medlibs our ref desk is also our circ desk too. So libs and assistants all work it in shifts. Bathroom & ref questions alike | |
| s_schulte | @CarolinaFan1982 how many hours a week? #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @aldricham another beverage tragedy (glad you could make #medlibs) | |
| aldricham | @eagledawg really? when did that happen? #medlibs | |
| krafty | Me Too! RT @blevinsa: I like working the desk. Gives me a chance to see students and interact with coworkers not on my floor. #medlibs | |
| blevinsa | @mehlibrarian I know! Wish I had the seasonal Pumpkin Imperial Stout that's in season, now. #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @blevinsa I can understand that, but not sure i could ever go back to working a desk again. I love being able to go to my users #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | @eagledawg Reference is reference - right? No matter where you do it? Maybe terminology not important? #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @aldricham times they are a changin' On call hours gone over summer trial & agree to go forward as permanent #medlibs | |
| hurstej | hey #medlibs have it missed you? going to catch up on the topic now. Technology Coordinator Houston, TX | |
| eagledawg | @BerrymanD totally agree reference is reference! Now - how to make sure our users know how to find us if things have changed? #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @s_schulte I spend at least 2 hours a day at the SON here, so like at least 10 hours a week but that is only office for students#medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @blevinsa Is pumpkin stout spicy or fruity? Your RQ for the day.
#medlibs | |
| ericschnell | I think the librarians/library had a harder time transitioning away from the desk than the customers ever did. #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @hurstej just on time and welcome! Alternative reference - what does it mean, what's being done, etc #medlibs | |
| blevinsa | @CarolinaFan1982 I'm only on desk 2-4 hrs a week. considering doing a couple hours of on site ref service for the med students. #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @s_schulte Closer to at least 15 or more depending on the office hours I hold in my office in the SON for faculty #medlibs | |
| krafty | .@CarolinaFan1982 @blevinsa #medlibs I see more variety of people at the desk. We have a busy desk. Often the back up person has to help out | |
| hurstej | nice to see utilization of chat reference etc, but do we need other ways to connect with the students? #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | We gave up traditional ref desk & do on-call hours now. Trying 2 move away from the we-can-afford-to-sit-here & wait for you model. #medlibs | |
| s_schulte | @CarolinaFan1982 @blevinsa I agree with Roy. would not want to work on desk. would drive me crazy. #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @ericschnell You are so right. But depends on era. I graduated in 1986 and all we had then was the desk.
#medlibs | |
| hurstej | really seems like they aren't interested in using library via social media but that is just my experience. #medlibs maybe other have better? | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @krafty @blevinsa I miss the desk at times but found myself bored many times #medlibs | |
| blevinsa | @mehlibrarian it's like drinking a creamy alcoholic piece of pumpkin bread. Mmmmmmmm #medlibs from Iowa's oldest microbrewery Millstream | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @hurstej I have some who have commented that they like my twitter feed dedicated to their school for news, etc. but not many #medlibs | |
| s_schulte | @CarolinaFan1982 you have two offices then? #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @blevinsa Sounds great. Not I want a pumpkin muffin. #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @CarolinaFan1982 @krafty @blevinsa I do info desk shifts & like hearing what's on students' minds - and my perpetual RSS backlog #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | Our docs have a hard time w the change. When we gave up traditional reference, we demolished our ref desk. Docs still look for it. #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @s_schulte I do. I don't use the one in the SON as much as I would like but my use of it varies based on faculty needs. #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs I think the ref desk depends on the institution & location of lib. VERY RARELY am I bored on the desk. It is busy | |
| RyloLH | Is providing technical support from the Reference Desk an alternate from of reference? #medlibs | |
| blevinsa | From what I've seen, a lot of library FB likes are other librarians. Still worth doing, but have to be realistic w/expectations. #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @BerrymanD Are they satisfied with availability of consult appts/ other ref services? #medlibs | |
| BAGebb | Nooo! Cold, dead hands, etc. MT @krafty: #medlibs using new blue bird tweetdeck... Think I will give up my yellow bird version .38 | |
| BerrymanD | @blevinsa Agree that FB liking of library pages is mostly librarians #medlibs | |
| aldricham | does anybody have a combined ref/circ desk or is that no longer alternative? #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | Maybe! RT @RyloLH: Is providing technical support from the Reference Desk an alternate from of reference? #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @eagledawg @krafty @blevinsa Get what is on the students minds by stationing myself in break area with a computer and some coffee#medlibs | |
| blevinsa | Its been fairly busy at our desk recently. And it's an interesting mix of people. Sometimes my folks look for me there I think. #medlibs | |
| hurstej | @CarolinaFan1982 so you have office hour at the SON? I have always liked that model. Take the library to them. Working? Popular? #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @blevinsa totally agree library FB pages more often librarian aggregators than users #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs @aldricham Ours is a ref/circ combo desk | |
| BerrymanD | @eagledawg I feel like we are educating about our consult service 1 person at a time. Many people like it, though. #medlibs | |
| hurstej | Ive seen good things and strong relationships librarian-faculty and librarian-student form thanks to on site office hours. #medlibs | |
| ericschnell | @hurstej I also find that customers generally do not wish to interact with library via social media #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | Nice! RT @CarolinaFan1982: @Get what is on the students minds by stationing myself in break area with a computer and some coffee #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @hurstej @CarolinaFan1982 He's worked off his feet. They adore him. #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | @eagledawg And I have to say that people in healthcare understand the concept of an appointment. Challenge = how to make that EASY #medlibs | |
| blevinsa | #medlibs I like the single point of service model. Why make patrons figure out which desk they need to be at? | |
| krafty | EXACTLY RT @blevinsa: #medlibs I like the single point of service model. Why make patrons figure out which desk they need to be at? | |
| mscully66 | #medlibs As a solo, ref is "ad hoc". So is every other library function. | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @blevinsa I don't make them figure it out, I just take the service to them. I even to night consultations & classes online #medlibs | |
| s_schulte | We trained our desk staff to both handle basic red &refer for consults properly.ref stats have not declined as a result of model. #medlibs | |
| hurstej | Agree! Wish more used this concept RT @krafty: EXACTLY RT @blevinsa: #medlibs I like the single point of service model. | |
| eagledawg | Totally. Move the question, not the person. MT @blevinsa: #medlibs I like the single point of service model. | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @s_schulte That is what we do here at VCU #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs I worry if I only had office hours that nobody would contact me. Plus our departments are loath to give office space in their area | |
| hurstej | I strongly advocated for single service point at one location but heard this "im a librarian I don't check out books" #medlibs #fail | |
| mehlibrarian | @blevinsa Lib on other campus has 2 desks but ref desk with computers so obvious. They are busy, but undergrad not professional #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @BerrymanD true that healthcare understands appts best use of time but agree setup is challenge. Open calendar not best #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @krafty #medlibs I am lucky in that respect and while I say I have office hours. I tell them if you see me I am open for business :) | |
| s_schulte | @krafty Why do you think that would happen? #medlibs | |
| BAGebb | Late and lurking for #medlibs after a long day (with a glass of Pinot grigio) | |
| krafty | #medlibs at our single service desk I see how people are messign up their catalog searches, trying to find ebooks, or verify citation | |
| blevinsa | @CarolinaFan1982 but can you check out books? :) I don't know that we'd have enough staff for the desk without librarians. #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @BAGebb welcome, one of my fav wines too! #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs @s_schulte Our culture is more call the library not a specific librarian | |
| RyloLH | As I still work at the reference desk I have to admit I'm glad we have two different desks for reference and circ #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @blevinsa Moststudents are not real interested in books but they know that is one thing I cannot do being stationed in their school #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | Our librarians do not do circ. We do have trained Answer Desk staff - they do some basic reference & refer to on-call librarian #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @CarolinaFan1982 do they stop you in the bathroom for ref questions though? (only half joking) #medlibs | |
| blevinsa | @hurstej that's the worst. #medlibs it's really not that hard to check out a book and it's all about being part of a team and not elitist | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @eagledawg on the way sometimes.... :) #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs in other words the single desk is my test lab to see how others find/can't find stuff. B/c I cant go around to every1 in whole hosp | |
| BAGebb | @hurstej Whoa, really? That's too bad. It's all a part of the job #medlibs | |
| aldricham | @blevinsa I agree with that totally. #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs Yeah I check out books, take fines, unjam the printers, answer phones, point to the bathroom and do real ref questions on our desk | |
| mscully66 | @eagledawg @CarolinaFan1982 #medlibs Confession: I once took a reference question in rest room as we were both, uh, "doing our business." | |
| hurstej | @BAGebb srsly! I guess I'm just more evolved, I can check out a book and answer a ref question if I have to #evolved #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @hurstej That is the problem with some librarians, this attitude that some service tasks are beneath them #medlibs #fail | |
| eagledawg | @mscully66 now THAT is some dedicated service! ;) #medlibs | |
| hurstej | @krafty applause! #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | Whether we do this on a desk, in office hours in a school, on the fly - it's all reference. Right? Just different models. #medlibs | |
| BAGebb | Okay, I do hate having to fix the printer :-) #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @CarolinaFan1982 @hurstej Service is the thing. #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | And a lot of the success of any model has to do with building relationships. #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @mscully66 @eagledawg I work a school of nurses not many guys who could corner me in the bathroom #medlibs | |
| hurstej | @CarolinaFan1982 agreed! I library is a sum of it's parts and it's services. #medlibs | |
| blevinsa | #medlibs my office is off the beaten path so I wouldn't get the impromptu questions there. I still love the idea of on-site reference | |
| krafty | #medlibs checking out the books I'm able to chat w/ them briefly to see if they need other books/jnls etc. Sort of like an elevator speech | |
| mscully66 | @eagledawg #medlibs I was pretty well "cornered"! | |
| RyloLH | @krafty me too aside from the fines and checking out books. This time of the year is all about telling people how to print PPs #medlibs | |
| aldricham | was really eye-opening at a previous job when our refdesk area closed for construction and librarians started shifting on circ #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | Agreed 100% - RT @BerrymanD: And a lot of the success of any model has to do with building relationships. #medlibs | |
| BAGebb | Agree RT @BerrymanD: Whether we do this on a desk, in office hours in a school, on the fly - its all reference. Right? #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @BAGebb I had to fix a copier while wearing white once. Not a good thing but I did it. #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | In an academic med ctr where costs are always an issue,wonder about the wisdom of having prof libs sitting at a desk, waiting 4 ?s #medlibs | |
| hurstej | Library users not aware of the distinctions. We need to give them a seamless painless experience if we want them to come back #medlibs | |
| BAGebb | 2nd! RT @CarolinaFan1982: Agreed 100% - RT @BerrymanD: And a lot of the success of any model has to do with building relationships. #medlibs | |
| aldricham | we realized circ folks knew med students WAY better than we did, because they talked to them daily while checking out reserves #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @hurstej None of us can do our jobs with out one another, librarians need support staff and they need us. Need to work as a team #medlibs | |
| blevinsa | @RyloLH @krafty so true! Printing PPis really all that happens in the mornings. #medlibs | |
| BAGebb | RT @hurstej: Library users not aware of distinctions. We need to give them a seamless painless experience if we want them back #medlibs | |
| s_schulte | @BerrymanD exactly. #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @BerrymanD budget cuts have decimated our info services FTEs. I pitch in 2 hours a week to help & glad for keeping it real. #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | OK everyone - what are these PPs that everyone is printing?
#medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @aldricham But if you take the time to get out, you can see them in their school instead of at the desk.
#medlibs | |
| hurstej | @CarolinaFan1982 agreed! We can learn a lot from one another to make the experience better for the user #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs But it isn't just me who does that. All libs and assistants who work the service desk do the same thing. Really get to know users | |
| BAGebb | @BerrymanD Power Points? #medlibs | |
| aldricham | @mehlibrarian yes, that's what I'm doing now :)
#medlibs | |
| RyloLH | @eagledawg I'd love to see some of our RML folks at the reference desk for a few hours #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | In our library, we work as a team, too. Only, it's a slightly different flavor than what I'm hearing here. #medlibs | |
| blevinsa | #medlibs yep. PP=PowerPoint | |
| mscully66 | @CarolinaFan1982 @hurstej #medlibs In American Sign Language Librarian, L. Clerk, L. Tech., L. Page r signed "Library (Work)er". No diff. | |
| krafty | #medlibs I'm not saying it wouldn't work but I think embedded/clinical librarian would work better in hosp enviro than office hours | |
| BerrymanD | @BAGebb Oh, really? Power Point slides? Used to seeing that as PPT. (Sheepish) #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @RyloLH When I first started my U sent the catalogers out to the desk so they would know how people looked for things
#medlibs | |
| aldricham | people in general don't realize how many ?s cross their minds but go unanswered. #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @krafty Hopefully we can try that soon. But how much does it depend on personality? #medlibs | |
| BAGebb | @BerrymanD That's what I use too, but was guessing :-) #medlibs | |
| RyloLH | @mehlibrarian that would be even better! #medlibs | |
| krafty | DEFINITELY MT @mehlibrarian: @RyloLH When first started my U sent the catalogers to the desk to know how people looked for things
#medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @ericschnell but you were able to do other work during shift right? #medlibs | |
| mscully66 | @CarolinaFan1982 @hurstej #medlibs (Pt. 2) Is there a way to make delineation of library duties invisible to our patrons? | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @krafty #medlibs I would agree w/that. Hosp. staff really have little time to get to library. have to go to them & be present #medlibs | |
| blevinsa | @mehlibrarian @rylolh that sounds like a great idea. Our IT folks at ECU sat w/us at desk to learn more about user behavior. #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | @krafty Clinical lib presents its own problems. 1=building the service. That's huge. Meaning lib is not "pdf finder & printer" #medlibs | |
| s_schulte | @mehlibrarian to some degree, I'd say yes it does,alter. you don't want someone afraid of getting out of comfort zone. #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @mscully66 @hurstej No there isn't which is why I help where I can when I can, regardless of the task #medlibs | |
| hurstej | @eagledawg @ericschnell #medlibs #medlibs I know I used to get so much other work done when I had desk duty. (Declining years) | |
| krafty | #medlibs YES! Catalogers should work the desk to know how NORMAL people find things. The service desk is my test kitchen & I'm an info chef | |
| blevinsa | @blevinsa @mehlibrarian @rylolh #medlibs they decided to do that on their own too! I miss Laupus's IT folks. They are awesome | |
| eagledawg | Move the ?, not the person RT @mscully66: #medlibs (Pt. 2) Is there a way to make delineation of library duties invisible to our patrons? | |
| BerrymanD | @blevinsa Good idea but at our library, if anyone sat at the ref desk to learn user behavior, we wouldn't have learned much. #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @s_schulte @mehlibrarian Also you would need to be a people person and have the requisite skills to do searches etc. on the fly #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | #medlibs RT @TBrigham At my lib it is me (librarian) and co-worker (lib assistant)-people seem to confuse diff of what we do. | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @mehlibrarian I am afraid we are gonna need way more staff to make a model like that effective #medlibs | |
| RyloLH | @blevinsa I'm 1 of 2 librarians who works at ref desk, the rest of staff at desks are techs, wish more librarians saw what i do #medlibs | |
| TBrigham | #medlibs @mscully66 Wondering that too. At my lib it's me (librarian) and coworker (lib assistant)-people seem to confuse diff of what we do | |
| krafty | @eagledawg @mscully66 #medlibs Our users think we are all the same at the ref desk until they have a complicated ILL, circ, ref qu. | |
| blevinsa | @BerrymanD tough to predict the business, that's for sure. I don't remember how effective they found it. #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @BerrymanD In the 1980s, when I started, it was very different. All users came to the desk. It was FUN #medlibs | |
| RyloLH | @eagledawg at my institution the non-librarians are just as capable as librarians in helping with research #medlibs | |
| ericschnell | @eagledawg Some. Primary position was IT support. Couldn't defrag a disk or configure server when not in front it, at that time #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | Not sure I want 2 make "delineation of library duties invisible to patrons." They already think everyone in library = a librarian #medlibs | |
| 7shores | I've known Catalogers that would quit before talking to a patron. #medlibs | |
| TBrigham | RT @krafty: #medlibs YES! Catalogers should work the desk to know how NORMAL people find things. The service desk is my test kitchen &am ... | |
| krafty | @mehlibrarian #medlibs ALL 15 lib employees are on our service desk so we have a lot of personalities | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @RyloLH @eagledawg some where I am at are too. #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | @mehlibrarian Don't get me wrong. I think ref desk stuff is fun, too. I just don't know if it is the best use of our time. Depends #medlibs | |
| mscully66 | @krafty @eagledawg #medlibs As a solo I *am* "all the same"! ;-) | |
| mehlibrarian | @RyloLH I wish that were true everywhere. Some staff are just there for the paycheck.
#medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @s_schulte @aldricham I have a poster at MLA this year, about all I am doing in this respect #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @mscully66 and I have no clue how solos do it all, seriously! #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | I want catalogers to know how people search - but I don't necessarily want them to do ref or on-call. #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs at the service desk we are the same until we need the fill in blank "specialist" docs used to idea of generalists and specialist | |
| hurstej | #mlanet13 :) RT @CarolinaFan1982: @s_schulte @aldricham I have a poster at MLA this year, about all I am doing in this respect #medlibs | |
| ericschnell | Hear Hear! RT @krafty: #medlibs YES! Catalogers should work the desk to know how NORMAL people find things. | |
| mehlibrarian | @BerrymanD Now it is very different. When I started we still used PRINT Index Medicus. #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs Many times I have said "hold on let me get the circulation specialist." or ILL specialists. | |
| BerrymanD | Not sure I agree with this "everyone should work the desk" philosophy #medlibs | |
| hurstej | UNCHSL once a month during the public services department meeting they did and they were great! @ericschnell @krafty #medlibs | |
| laurabotts | RT @7shores: I've known Catalogers that would quit before talking to a patron. #medlibs | |
| SeerGenius | i keep missin the #medlibs chat -- interesting convo on collab/intersections. | |
| mscully66 | @eagledawg #medlibs Dirty little secret: with the volume I have coming at me, I don't "do it all". #firehose | |
| RyloLH | @BerrymanD its not that it's always needed but often non-front line staff dont have the user experience in mind #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @mscully66 @eagledawg I was a solo librarian for awhile and there were days I was overwhelmed. #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | @mehlibrarian And in 1 year, 2 years, 10 years it will be very different from now. That's why we love this job. #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @7shores My grandmother was a cataloguer. But she hated reference:-) #medlibs | |
| hurstej | My circ skills have really diminished. I used to be great a most systems. I miss those days! #medlibs | |
| blevinsa | @krafty #medlibs me too! There are plenty of circ things that I just can't do. | |
| krafty | #medlibs When hit w/ a reference question our assistants will then say let me get the librarian, PubMed specialist, or RefWorks specialist. | |
| eagledawg | @mscully66 @CarolinaFan1982 triage well and/or fire juggler? :) #medlibs | |
| s_schulte | @BerrymanD I agree. If you're tied to a desk, you're tied to the bldg and can't bet out and do more impactful activities. #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | @RyloLH I get that. I just don't think I accept the idea that the only way to get that is to work the desk #medlibs | |
| SeerGenius | why? RT @BerrymanD: Not sure I agree with this "everyone should work the desk" philosophy #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @hurstej Next time we have an opening at VCU, apply and we can help you get those skills back quickly. Close to #UNC #medlibs | |
| hurstej | Is anyone doing "roving reference" I haven't heard much about it anymore. But more mobile devices make it easier than ever. #medlibs | |
| krafty | .@blevinsa #medlibs Yeah lots of circ stuff I can't do either. But can check out books, collect fines, reset passwords. | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @eagledawg @mscully66 Something like #medlibs | |
| aldricham | In 10 years, will we be so well embedded that we can listen to rounds and ask and answer all the ?s nobody is articulating? #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @blevinsa We are switching to Primo/Alma. I'm not sure I want to know the new system :-) #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | @SeerGenius Because "the desk" requires pretty high level customer service skills. There are other ways 2 learn how people search #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @hurstej Wouldn't that kind of be what we are doing when we are taking services to patrons where they are? #medlibs | |
| blevinsa | @krafty our fines go through the payroll system so we never touch money. #medlibs | |
| aldricham | (no beverage, I swear) #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @aldricham I hope so. That would mean they see our value. #medlibs | |
| hurstej | @CarolinaFan1982 true just curious. I think it had a different meaning before. Roving the stacks or the reading room #medlibs | |
| RyloLH | @hurstej we don't have roving but patrons can click an icon on public computer & someone from reference will go directly to them #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs RT @krafty: @BerrymanD @SeerGenius If they don't work they desk they don't know their user group whether they are ILL or cataloger. | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @hurstej If we did that where I am, the students would give us some dirty looks. They don't seem to want to be bothered #medlibs | |
| hurstej | @RyloLH oh fancy! a librarian at your service - is it a highly used service? #medlibs | |
| s_schulte | @BerrymanD @SeerGenius the bulk of questions that come to our desk are not complex. don't need a librarian to answer. #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | "Roving ref" used to remind me of sales clerks in a high-end dept store following you around saying "Can I help you?" Annoying. #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | @krafty Not sure I agree that the only way to know the user group is to work the desk. #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @s_schulte @BerrymanD @SeerGenius That is what we found here at VCU as well so we move off the desk and into the schools #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @aldricham in 10 yrs our embedded brain chip implants will answer reference questions via telepathy ;) #medlibs | |
| RyloLH | @hurstej no unfortunately not, but nice to have another option for access to us especially as we have 5 floors where patrons can be #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @RyloLH That is an interesting service. Do you have an on call person to answer requests from public computers? #medlibs | |
| blevinsa | #medlibs we have instant messaging. I don't think I'd want to rove. It seems too intrusive. Like pushy salespeople in dept stores. | |
| krafty | #medlibs @BerrymanD How else is a cataloger going to know how a patron uses the catalog?! People don't use the catalog the way catalogers do | |
| hurstej | @eagledawg @aldricham don't forget to keep track of your mental reference stats! #medlibs | |
| aldricham | @eagledawg I need that right now! #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @blevinsa I agree #medlibs | |
| ericschnell | Great point! MT @s_schulte If you're tied to a desk, you're tied to the bldg and can't bet out and do more impactful activities. #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | @s_schulte Agreed! Most ?s aren't complex. Wish I knew how many years I spent directing people to bathrooms & phones. #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @hurstej @aldricham oh I'm sure there will be whatever equivalent there is in 10 years of an app for mental telepathy ref stats ;) #medlibs | |
| 7shores | RT @eagledawg: @aldricham in 10 yrs our embedded brain chip implants will answer reference questions via telepathy ;) #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | @krafty But, we can capture their attempts to find things now. Capture and analyze. Do user testing. Do focus groups. Do ANYTHING. #medlibs | |
| aldricham | @hurstej @eagledawg I keep a spreadsheet of my ?s answered w/ a column for asker, and sometimes it's "me". Not joking. #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @aldricham @hurstej @eagledawg Too funny #medlibs | |
| RyloLH | @krafty yes! Working on EDS implementation with cataloger is often challenging because of this #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @krafty People don't use PubMed the way we do either. Our students loved new PubMed few years ago when the librarians hated it.
#medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @aldricham @hurstej that's a great sign! The day I stop asking questions is the day I need to not be in the #medlibs field anymore. | |
| krafty | #medlibs @BerrymanD The data from the capture files from most OPACS is crummy, it doesn't show how the user searches. | |
| BerrymanD | CUSTOMER SERVICE = the name of the game at the desk - whatever you call it. There are some people who should not be on the desk. #medlibs | |
| s_schulte | @krafty don't think our patrons use catalog that much. they use databases and other e sources, but they don't have to go thru cat. #medlibs | |
| 7shores | I'm assuming everyone will have that implant not just Librarians. We'll be the ones programming the search interface. #medlibs | |
| aldricham | but in case @s_schulte is concerned I only count those if someone else finds the answer interesting! #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | Def. RT @krafty: #medlibs @mehlibrarian Exactly! Seeing how people use PubMed makes you better at teaching/showing people how to use it. | |
| blevinsa | @BerrymanD #medlibs they could shadow. That way their poor customer service skills wouldn't affect users. | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @s_schulte Getting a discovery tool & some students are flipping out b/c they use catalog which is going away. Might be surprised #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | @krafty We need 2 make that data better. Period. Can't rely on "desk" for learning how users search. How many hours will that take? #medlibs | |
| s_schulte | @aldricham they should count! :) #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | You don't have to be at THE DESK to see how people do things. It happens all around us. There are other ways to interact w people. #medlibs | |
| krafty | I work 1 hr/day doesn't take long RT @BerrymanD: Can't rely on "desk" for learning how users search. How many hours will that take? #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @CarolinaFan1982 Did I tell you about the psychiatry prof with 162 saved e-journals? He was upset about our change to Primo. #medlibs | |
| s_schulte | @CarolinaFan1982 I'd flip out too. haven't met a discovery tool yet that I liked. LOL. #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @mehlibrarian No and that is crazy. #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs I agree learning how people find things happens all around you but some who don't go on the desk don't go out of their office | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @s_schulte Seem great if you don't know anything but if looking for something specific....forget it #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @s_schulte Try doing a known item search on a discovery tool. Doesn't work. #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | @krafty Not making myself clear. I would sit at desk for 4 hr shifts & sometimes have 1 question. Can't learn user behavior then #medlibs | |
| s_schulte | @krafty that's not really effective either. it takes a model of service that requires more engagement. #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | @krafty But that's a management problem, not a traditional v alternative ref desk situation #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @7shores Actually, Bill Gates will program the interface, so you should be scared! #medlibs | |
| krafty | True! RT @BerrymanD: @krafty But that's a management problem, not a traditional v alternative ref desk situation #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | I stick to my position: whatever works for your institution is what you should do. And desk work requires good cust service skills #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @BerrymanD 4 hours is crazy long, I like the 1 hr info desk shifts. #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @blevinsa @mehlibrarian @s_schulte True, other part is we are used to the catalog and find it hard to change #medlibs | |
| TBrigham | @s_schulte @krafty #medlibs what about if u r a solo or 2 person library? What other engagements do see working? | |
| BerrymanD | @eagledawg Doesn't matter if 4 librarians sit at the desk for 1 hour each or if 1 sits for 4 hours if all they get is one question #medlibs | |
| blevinsa | @hurstej maybe someday. We need to get IRB approval first. That's taking a long time. #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | Very true RT @BerrymanD: whatever works for your institution is what you should do. And desk work requires good cust service skills #medlibs | |
| ericschnell | Something fun to watch after #medlibs http://t.co/GvE8S45s | |
| BerrymanD | @eagledawg And 1 hour how many times a week? #medlibs | |
| hurstej | @blevinsa good luck would be v good project #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @TBrigham @s_schulte @krafty Good question, that is a tough work enviroment to do much as you are already overstretched #medlibs | |
| s_schulte | @TBrigham I've not been in ur shoes, but I'd advocate for choosing activities that have most impact for your institution. #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @BerrymanD I go beyond info desk ref expectations to assist if it's light traffic though. My RML job is different. I value real. #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs @TBrigham @s_schulte As a solo or dual librarian I would get as much self serve and online as possible & start hitting the floors | |
| s_schulte | @TBrigham which means you purposely stop something. #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs RT @WKHealthOvid: This month’s FREE resource is GLOBAL HEALTH on #OvidSP. Sign up now. http://t.co/pwVtsx9H | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @s_schulte @TBrigham Really don't have much choice as doing anything else would really be putting yourself in a tough spot #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | With traditional ref desk the other ? is what happens to productivity when we chop up our days with ref desk shifts + meetings? #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs @TBrigham @s_schulte Don't sweat the back office stuff get people using the stuff you have and get into meetings, consults, etc. | |
| TBrigham | @CarolinaFan1982 @s_schulte @krafty not trying to be difficult- just trying to get ideas of how to be more engaged w/ staff of 2 #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @TBrigham network w/@mscully66 & @alisha764, your fellow solo #medlibs! | |
| hurstej | oh that reminds me any #medlibs going to Educause this year? just trying to find out I hope I can go. | |
| SeerGenius | @krafty @BerrymanD what do you mean ILL or cataloger? #medlibs (sorry coming in with ketchup tho it mite b mustard) | |
| krafty | #medlibs We work 1 hour/day on the desk & 1 hour as back up helper 5 days/wk. If we are short staffed it is more. | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @TBrigham @s_schulte @krafty I just wish I had an insightful suggestion, because I was a solo librarian for awhile. #Medlibs | |
| aldricham | @BerrymanD yes, that was challenging (the day chopping) #medlibs | |
| s_schulte | @BerrymanD BINGO! #medlibs | |
| BerrymanD | @s_schulte Thanks. Was always a problem for me. #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs @SeerGenius @BerrymanD Having a debate about need for cataloger or ILL person 2 b on service desk to see how real people find stuff | |
| ericschnell | What she said RT @s_schulte: @BerrymanD BINGO! #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @TBrigham @s_schulte I you don't make the contacts as a solo, you don't have advocates for your service. Need balance. #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs @TBrigham try possibly doing grand rounds or a little clinical librarianship. Round w/ nurses to give patient ed stuff...brainstorm | |
| s_schulte | must cut out of the chat to help daughter with clothing choices for the tomorrow. Be not afraid of changing ref everyone! night! #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | @mehlibrarian @TBrigham @s_schulte Finding that balance is where the challenge lies #medlibs | |
| krafty | RT @CarolinaFan1982: @mehlibrarian @TBrigham @s_schulte Finding that balance is where the challenge lies #medlibs | |
| blevinsa | #medlibs thanks for great discussion all. Have a great night! | |
| mehlibrarian | @krafty At VCU we have ILL paras and other paras on desk, but not librarians anymore. #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | There is never The One Way For Reference - the key is finding multiple ways that work for us & users. Thanks #medlibs for great chat! | |
| BerrymanD | Our ILL people are on our info desk & have been for a long time. Our cataloger is also a liaison to pediatrics & very busy. #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | well put RT @eagledawg: There is never The One Way For Reference - the key is finding multiple ways that work for us & users. #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs @mehlibrarian We only have 15 people so everybody is on the single service desk at some time | |
| BerrymanD | BINGO!! RT @eagledawg: There is never The One Way For Reference - the key is finding multiple ways that work for us & users. #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @eagledawg Yes, you need to know your users. And every place is unique. #medlibs | |
| aldricham | @eagledawg when RML can't relate to what real is, that's a problem. Keep seeking out real wherever you can find it! #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | Everyone have a good night. Has been fun as always... until next week :) #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @aldricham totally. I'd be in on CPOE too if 2 other RMLers weren't already there! #medlibs | |
| TBrigham | #medlibs Thanks everyone for ur suggestions on how to get engaged! V helpful & will explore ideas. Have a great night! | |
| krafty | #medlibs @eagledawg @aldricham CPOE? | |
| eagledawg | Transcript for tonight's #medlibs chat is at http://t.co/n7EDOOfT | |
| BerrymanD | Good night, everyone! Don't worship the desk. Manage the service. #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | @krafty At Cold Spring Harbour Lab in 1990s we had no desk. People asked the person found in one of offices by the front door #medlibs | |
| eagledawg | @krafty @aldricham my jargon fail - help for computerized provider order entry (CPOE) in electronic health records (EHRs) #medlibs | |
| krafty | So true RT @BerrymanD: Don't worship the desk. Manage the service. #medlibs | |
| CarolinaFan1982 | Agreed !! - RT @BerrymanD: Good night, everyone! Don't worship the desk. Manage the service. #medlibs | |
| mehlibrarian | Good night. Off to see who wins Project Runway. Can't wait for hockey season. #medlibs | |
| SeerGenius | MT @krafty: #medlibs @SeerGenius @BerrymanD Having a deb8 abt need 4 cataloger or ILL person 2 b on service desk 2 c how real ppl find stuff | |
| aldricham | @eagledawg @krafty like order sets? wow, times really are changing! #medlibs | |
| krafty | #medlibs @SeerGenius I think of the service desk as my test kitchen and I am the information chef testing ideas on customers |
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