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Great review, I liked the way that you assessed the story time against a criteria. I used to think that programs such as story time were just a way to entertain children. It wasn’t until I read a book Proust and the Squid about how humans developed the “reading brain” that I realised that these activities are integral to teaching children how to read and use language. If you are interested in literacy, I would highly recommend the book, it’s a really interesting read 🙂
Hi Hanan. Great trends reflection! I liked your focus on social media. I was wondering if you think, though, that social media has meant that there has been a decline in the need for RA within libraries? Anyone can engage in RA now using social media like GoodReads, so perhaps more people will look outside the library for recommendations about what to read?
Hi Georgia. Great review! Sounds like a really interesting course.
I hadn’t considered the idea of talking someone out of reading a book in relation to RA before. I do it all the time with my friends if they are asking about a book that I really didn’t like, but I don’t know if I would in a professional capacity. I wonder if a librarian has ever dissuaded someone from reading a particular book, perhaps they would if they knew the client really well?
Thanks Robyn! Before I started researching the topic I wasn’t sure myself, but once you think about it and do research there are so many benefits and relatively easy to set up. I would love to see a leisure reading collection at QUT! Hopefully some day in the near future 🙂
Hi Debbie. I really liked how you examined the new skills that librarians need to provide efficient virtual reference services. I feel that virtual reference can be more challenging for librarians than the traditional reference desk. Unlike when you are on the physical reference desk, in virtual reference a librarian may have to deal with multiple queries simultaneously. As a result librarians have to also be good at multitasking and thinking on their toes. Virtual reference is a great service, but as you have so rightly identified, will mean that librarians have to develop an extra skills set.
Really well thought out and interesting review Ruth! It sounds like QAGOMA library offer very responsive and thorough reference services. Is the service offered to the public or just to researchers, and if so, do you have to demonstrate your particular research credentials before you are able to access the materials?
Leena I love your idea about finding a tutor! I think this would be a great way for Belinda to receive one-on-one help with the specific problems she is facing. It would provide a safe space outside home and the university where Belinda could feel comfortable talking through ideas and things she is finding challenging in her university courses. I think the flexibility that this kind of program offers is perfect for students like Belinda who have to juggle multiple commitments. Perhaps the program could even be incorporated into universities. Maybe the library or student services could match students up with tutors 🙂
What a great idea Stacey! I love that you have combined learning research skills through using the library website with a game. I think this would be a really great way to get people to feel more confident using the library’s resources. I can see so much potential for this game! Maybe lecturers could even include it as part of their course, it could be incorporated as a research tasks for preparing for assignments. Would it be available through the library website?
Thanks for your insightful comment Kate. You made my reflection sound much better than it actually was!
I agree with you that in-class library lessons and services are definitely still important. Sometimes nothing can beat being physically in a class room interacting with a librarian and other students, particularly with more complex referencing or research questions. I do feel that academic libraries are now in a strange situation where they are having to deal with a new kind of student who is physically remote to them. It can be difficult to get the resources and services to them, but I think that libraries are trying their best to come up with solutions.
I also think with special libraries, it’s not just a matter of not having enough resources and funds but also a lack of demand from patrons. From doing some work in a law library I found that there is not as great a demand for technological innovation from the patrons because they much prefer to use print resources. The culture of the law library was very different to academic libraries, which tend to place more emphasis on the library as a learning space, and was much more traditional. Depending on the patrons, it may not be necessary to adopt the latest innovation in library services.
I love your superpower! I’m with you on Twitter. I’m still a bit hesitant about using it, but I think the Twitter chats in this course will help to make it feel more familiar.
Welcome back Chris! Super speed would be a handy superpower! Sometimes I wish I had the power to slow down time, though, so that there were somehow more hours in the day.
I think being bilingual is a superpower in itself, a superpower that doesn’t come easily. I like your idea of being able to teleport, that would be so handy!
