Yes, I can testify to some success also. For example, our art history department
has weekly colloquia during each semester. I have been invited each semester to
give one or two presentations to faculty and grad students on (1) changes and
features of Pitt Cat (online catalog) and (2) art-related databases on the
library's digital library that they can all access from home or office. That has
been a great success. Although I was not invited to do so this semester.
Perhaps people are beginning to think that they now know everything there is to
know about the digital library. Digital libraries are endlessly morphing
entities.
The faculty and grad students ask good questions, they like the handouts I do
each semester, they are impressed by the variety of resources. BUT, I still need
to convince them that this is necessary within the scope of their classes ALSO.
Many, as we all know, say they do not want to take time from the subject they are
teaching. My response is to SWEETLY tell them that being able to successfully
access information on that subject IS a part of the overall learning experience
and an important part of the subject.
I think it is important for us BUSY librarians to be seen outside the library and
informally talk with faculty too. Believe me, I KNOW how difficult that is to
do, especially given the fact that we are all - especially in academic - spread
thinner and thinner as staffs are reduced and administrators have begun to rely
on us to fill-in hours at general reference desks in the main library IN ADDITION
TO managing and providing "excellent" service to the clientel in our departmental
libraries.
Ray Anne
Ellen Chapman wrote:
> On Tue, 12 Feb 2002, Joan Benedetti wrote:
> <snip>
> > ...It may help to realize that the most
> > seemingly disdainful researcher may simply not want to "lose face" by
> > admitting ignorance. It may not seem like it's part of your job to put
> > people like that at ease, but a little sensitivity with "the high and the
> > mighty" can make a dramatic difference in their willingness to accept your
> > help.
>
> Yes! We have had some success by phrasing our approaches as "come see
> what's new in the library" or "let me just show you this nifty new thing
> the XYZ database can do now." While you describe or demonstrate the "new"
> thing, you can slip in several old things. Sometimes the dazzle of
> a database or the just-right subject of a new source will get a reluctant
> person to start asking questions.
>
> Ellen Chapman
> Univ. of Hawaii Library
>
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--
Ray Anne Lockard, Head Librarian
Frick Fine Arts Library
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Voice: 412-648-2411
Fax: 412-648-7568
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
"A book should be a ball of light in one's hands."
Ezra Pound
__________________________________________________________________
Mail submissions to [log in to unmask]
Administrative matters (file requests, subscription requests, etc)
to [log in to unmask]
ARLIS-L Archives and subscription maintenance:
http://lsv.uky.edu/archives/arlis-l.html
Questions may be addressed to list owner (Kerri Scannell) at: [log in to unmask]
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