For the past couple of years, students and staff members have seen, posted on walls, in the elevators, and various other places in the libraries, a bright yellow notice with a compelling message:
RESEARCH CONSULTATIONS
Are you suffering from information overload? Are you stressed out about that research paper you have to submit and not sure how to access or interpret the information sources available in the Library?
There is an answer!
The message appears to have hit home with the University community. In two years, several hundred students and staff members have made appointments with subject specialists, primarily from the Reference units of the various libraries. The purpose has been to offer them individualized, one-on-one research consultations. Skilled Library educational consultants work with the students to identify the print and electronic information sources they will need for their papers and projects; to determine how to access these sources, especially by giving guidance in navigating the huge and frequently confusing world of the Internet and websites; and to evaluate these sources critically. The latter is particularly important because many websites do not undergo the kind of editorial scrutiny and evaluation that most articles and books do.
Why did the Library begin to offer this service to the Brown community? As those of you who have sought help at, or have observed, the Reference desks know, they can be extremely busy environments. Staff often can only spare a few minutes with a patron before being swept away by other demands: answering other reference questions or a ringing telephone or dealing with technical and equipment problems. Naturally, both for patrons who needed a quieter, extended, and more focused session with a subject specialist, and for the staff, this is frustrating. A way had to be found that would allow subject specialists more time to work with patrons on their research problems without being distracted by other pressing duties at the Reference desks. So a sustained effort was made to publicize these customized, one-on-one research consultations.
Patrons can set up appointments with a subject specialist either in person, by telephone or by e-mail. If there is a question about who is the appropriate librarian to meet with, users should contact the Reference desk at any of the libraries or check the menu under "Choose a Librarian" on the electronic purchase request form on the Library Web. It is made clear to the patrons that, depending on their needs, there may be only one appointment or several stretched out over the various stages of their research. The kinds of questions and requirements of patrons vary tremendously. For example, the consultant may need to spend only a few minutes with the patron finding a specific piece of statistical information about automobile plants or determining the percentage of female workers in Saudi Arabia. Others may ask for a detailed, step-by-step overview of electronic resources relevant to their topic. Some may brainstorm with the subject specialist to develop a research strategy and plan they can use to complete their papers, honors theses, dissertations or reports.
Both patrons and staff view the process as mutually beneficial and satisfying. The patrons greatly appreciate the special attention they receive from subject specialists, which usually proves to be the most effective type of instruction the Library offers. Indeed, they often feel they have a research mentor who will assist them regularly with their problems. The fact that they have a helpful and friendly face to turn to certainly makes the Library, and the myriad of information resources it offers, less confusing and less intimidating in this age of information overload. And it allows the subject specialist ample time to address the research needs of patrons fully.
Michael Jackson