Define “Reference Service”

Some librarians have Reference Desk responsibilities and others do not. There doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason to this. It’s probably just how their job descriptions were written at the time they were hired. Theoretically, it would have something to do with expertise and work load but I don’t see that correlation here!

Now, what are you expected to do at the Reference Desk? I was taught in library school that you assist whoever comes your way – help them to find the information that they need. Since working in an environment where we struggle to be identified as “faculty,” I would certainly add that we are to teach those who come for assistance to effectively search for information themselves.

What I have heard we are NOT here to do:

• Just find information for others
• Assist with computer problems not related to the Library website
• Assist with printer problems or printing issues
• Provide staplers or tape (or tissues)
• Lend pens (just itty-bitty pencils)
• Provide storage devices for temporary use
• Stop people from eating in Library
• Ask people to lower their voices
• Ask people to take their cell phone calls outside

So don’t even ask!

Identity Crisis 1

One of the results of having faculty librarians seems to be an identity crisis of sorts. Are they librarians or are they faculty? Which is more important? Which will you get credit for in terms of tenure and promotion and how does that effect how you perform your job?

It seems to be that those areas of evaluation that other professors use are of utmost importance: teaching, service, and scholarship. There is a mention of professional responsibilities but since this is not a norm amongst teaching faculty, there may be less emphasis and value attached to it.

Unfortunately, there are librarians who must spend a great deal of time doing this work. There are also librarians who should be spending some of their time doing this kind of work but will trivialize it since other teaching faculty may not value it.

Hold On There!

I took Bully-boy and Blondie’s proposal to the Program Review committee. The committee chair, Steady, was very disturbed by the inappropriate idea and expressed her anger to the department chair, Miserly. He agreed that is was not appropriate and spoke with Blondie and Bully-boy.

Blondie stormed into my office and yelled at me for getting her reprimanded. When I tried to explain to her that I took her proposal to the committee and not to Miserly. She called me a liar. She does not like being “called on the carpet”, which doesn’t really surprise me (who does?).

I do find it odd that she would advocate for Bully-boy and then take the heat for his arrogance. A-ha, maybe that is why she is so angry…

He can fix it!

No, I am not talking about Bob the Builder. I am talking about the “one time offer” – it will expire at midnight, so think carefully about rebuffing it – of Bully-boy to fix all the problems in the technical services area that have been revealed through the review process. Blondie conspiratorially mentioned that she and Bully-boy would be presenting the idea to department at the next meeting.

• Never mind that our committee had already put a great deal of time and effort into pinpointing the issues…
• Never mind that our committee has worked hard to draft and has begun implementing recommended changes…
• Never mind that we are in the midst of a process prescribed by the University and Library…

F’ing Faculty Meetings

I am sorry to write that the tone of the library faculty meetings has not changed. Faculty:

• File in
• Find seats
• Engage in Furtive glances
• Flee

Still noticeably absent are discussing, sharing, connecting, bonding, working, deciding, voting, chatting, laughing…

I did mention my impressions to Boobie and she agreed that the meetings were crazy boring and unproductive. She would like to see them change but seemed to feel powerless with Miserly in charge. Is it because he has been here longer that we must defer to him? As someone who advocates for positive change, it is bewildering to me that we couldn’t work something out to the satisfaction of all, something that could save us from this Farcical Fate of F‘ing Faculty Meetings!