ACITC Mini-Grant Fall 2009Ask a Mobile Librarian Project

Project Overview In fall 2009, librarian Rebecca Weber received

an ACITC grant to experiment with the implementation of a mobile reference service on campus.

Seven mobile reference sessions were held during the semester.

Using a Dell laptop purchased with grant funds, librarian Rebecca Weber went to several campus locations .

At these locations, Ms. Weber was set up to assist students with research questions or library-related issues.

Getting Started

Focus groups were held to determine times, locations, and interest in a mobile reference service.

A student assistant was hired to help support the instructional team, assist in promotion of the mobile reference service, and allow coverage of in-library reference service during the mobile library hours.

Photo : Jenny Mumfrey ,Student Assistant

Recruitment and Focus Groups Twenty students were recruited for

focus groups via announcements on FitForum.

There were five students per group. Of the twenty students, fifteen were

international students. Sessions lasted about fifty minutes. Students were given a $10 Barnes

and Noble Gift Card as incentive for their participation.

Focus Group Questions Students were asked the following

questions:▪Do you currently use the library reference services? (email, phone, chat, in person)▪How often do you use the library resources or services? Daily? Weekly? Monthly? Once or twice a semester?▪ At what point in your research do you ask for help from a librarian or begin to use the library resources seriously?

Focus Group Questions Continued

▪What time of the day would you most likely use the mobile reference service?▪Where on campus would you most like to see the mobile reference service held?▪Would a service available in the SUB or other places on campus make you more likely to ask a librarian for help with your research?

Focus Group Findings

Most students in the groups used the library as a place to study.

Some students indicated they did not know they could ask a librarian for assistance with research.

Graduate students were more likely to ask a librarian for research assistance.

Overall students indicated that late afternoon or early evening would be a good time to hold the service.

Focus Group Findings Continued Students indicated they would use a

mobile reference service if they needed it.

Groups suggested the SUB and the dorms most often as places to host the mobile reference service.

Photo : Ms. Weber and a focus group

Organization Based on focus group findings and library hours, seven

sessions were planned in the following locations: ▪ The Denius Student Center▪ Olin Engineering▪ The Crawford Building▪ Harris Village▪ The Applied Computing Center▪ The Academic Support Center

Sessions were held either at 1-3 p.m. or 7-9 p.m. For two of the sessions, librarians Ann Sepri and Nate

Hosburgh accompanied librarian Rebecca Weber. Photo: Ms. Weber assisting students

Promotion

Announcements concerning locations and times of the Ask A Mobile Librarian service were distributed via FitForum.

Posters were created for display in the library and other campus locations.

Table tents were distributed to campus dining facilities.

Emails were sent to the class lists. Times and locations were posted on the

library blog.

Promotional Poster

Holding the Sessions Seven sessions were held as advertised. Ms. Weber posted table-top signs to promote

the service while on location. Students occupying the area where the

service was held were asked if they needed assistance with research.

Actual attendance of the sessions was low with two students asking for assistance and one student requesting assistance via email after having seen the Ask a Mobile Librarian poster on campus .

Outcomes

Although attendance of the sessions was low, some positive outcomes resulted from the service:▪ Some students in the focus groups were better informed about library services after participating.▪ A student contacted librarian Rebecca Weber and asked for assistance with her research after seeing the Ask a Librarian poster.

Outcomes Continued

▪ A professor arranged a library instruction session for her students after seeing the Ask a Mobile Librarian service.▪Other students may have used the library as a result of the posters or seeing a librarian on campus.

Photo: students studying at Evans Library

Thoughts for the Future After completing the fall 2009 sessions, the

following conclusions were reached: ▪ The service should be held in one location, at a

consistent time.▪ Many students are unaware that librarians can

offer one-on-one research consultations.▪ Overall awareness of the library/library services

is increased through advertising.▪ Having a librarian hold office hours (once or

twice a week) in conjunction with the Academic Support Center may be a good alternative as a continuation of this service.

THANK YOU, ACITC!