Live Blogging: Librarian on Location

Our library is starting a new program of "on the road" reference today. I will be close to the snack bar on the third floor of our building. This is a major hub of students and classes. We will do this each Wednesday this semester at other locations. I thought it might be good to live blog the experience. Hey, it isn't Super Bowl media day but it is interesting nonetheless. This is my first attempt at live blogging. So bear with me. I would welcome any comments or discussion.


2:31 All set up: I have signage, some library brochures, two highlighters, and a post-it note pad. I am working off a brand new laptop with Windows Vista (I have never used Vista before). Two people have already asked me what I am doing. No one at the reference desk downstairs ever asks me what I am doing. Is this a positive? One student said "cool" when I told her she didn't need to go downstairs to get library help.

The one problem I had was I had to kick a student off the prime spot for my setup. He was really understanding and positive about what I was doing.

2:40 I do have a uniform of sorts. I have a black polo shirt with a green logo with the words "Librarian on Location".

I just told another student about what I am doing. He just said, "Its an idea." What does that mean? One thing is obvious so far. People are much more likely to say hi and talk with you up here. This is good. It shows that a simple change of location effects the way the patron views you. I am approachable and a curiosity up here.

2:51 Just talked with a professor, I told him that many students are intimidated by the library. He said, "That is the truth. I try to send students to look at reserve items in the library and instead of sitting in the library and reading it they make copies so they can get out of the library as fast as they can." This shows that students aren't always comfortable in the library itself. Hmmm....Where are they comfortable? Dorm, student center, fitness center?

3:06 A student came up after being downstairs in the library and asked for the reason why Section C of the Wall Street Journal wasn't with the rest of the paper. I got to explain to him that because this section is so highly used we had to set it aside so no one would steal it. Again, no one would have asked me this in my normal location.

3:27 Here is the Feb. schedule for the Librarian on Location: Feb. 6 Patriot Cafe/Feb. 13 SACS Week, no LOL/Feb. 20 International Building/ Feb. 27 Crowley Dining Hall

3:45 Student asked me which countries do not accept the US dollar. I could not find a definitive list. She approached me like a teenager trying to stump a public librarian by asking ridiculous question. This was trivia for her. Interesting that I would be the source for sport and informational entertainment. I felt bad that I could not find an authoritative list. If anyone knows, let me know.