RIA Blog Post/Journal Entry # 2

The reference in action (RIA) project was very helpful and provided me with many useful experiences.  Creating the pathfinder was challenging, but also very rewarding.  The pathfinder creation portion of the project allowed me to understand the importance of providing proper information on resources.  I now know how vital it is to make sure the materials (such as books) are accessible and easy-to-find.  I think that the pathfinder was a work in progress, and I learned a lot about selecting age-appropriate materials, as well as relevant materials for various categories (ready reference, nonfiction, audio/visual, etc.).  I think that this experience was quite beneficial, and I have used what I learned about collecting and streamlining resources for a particular subject area to help patrons.

I really enjoyed the three interaction sessions in Belk Library.  I felt like playing the librarian was a lot more interesting than playing the patron.  As the patron, I felt my questions were adequately answered, and my classmates were excellent librarians in assisting me.  I played a high school senior and an aspiring docent/tour guide.  It was a  positive experience overall.  I think it is important to view the reference process through the eyes of both patron and librarian.  As the librarian, I felt like I was "on my toes" while I tried to meet my patrons' needs, and find their resources in a timely, efficient manner.  I learned that greetings and salutations are very important, and establishing a rapport with the patron is comforting, especially in an online setting.  I also learned that technology issues happen, and that it's important to stay in contact with the patron and to keep reassuring him/her that the search is in progress.  It was a little nerve-wracking to have a question that seemed difficult, and to not be able to find the question right away.  However, the ASU Belk librarians reminded me that I could give my email address to the patron, or set up another reference appointment if I could not find the information they needed at the present moment.  That's helpful to know, because the pathfinders provided most of the requested resources during the mock interviews, but I know that in reality I might not have a pathfinder handy on a particular subject.  I might need to reconnect with the patron later.  That was a useful lesson and something I won't forget.

The Belk librarians were extremely knowledgeable and encouraging during the entire process.  They were so  positive, even when giving constructive criticism.  I really liked hearing what they had to say about our mock reference interviews.  I am appreciative of their time, and the opportunity to work with them in the Belk forum.