The number of reference transactions continues to
decline. Yesterday I had two:
1. A student wanted to know how to cite a poem using the MLA
Style Guide.
2 .A faculty member found an article in a bibliography and
wanted to know if the library had the journal.
I found out that the NJIT Library did not have the journal and filled
out an electronic interlibrary loan form for him. It is especially disappointing when a professor
does not know the basics of how to use a library.
The most frustrating thing to me is that chemistry/chemical engineering
students don’t ask for me as often as they used to. At least once a semester I introduce myself at graduate seminars and offer my services. I remember before we had Scifinder Scholar
students had to come to me with their search questions that I had to execute
using STN International after 5 PM. What
are the reasons?
- The “Google Phenomenon” – Students search Google to find everything they need.
- Librarians' training is effective
- Databases such as Scopus and Scifinder Scholar are designed so that student and faculty can learn to use them with intervention from librarians.
What is the future of reference librarianship?
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