Reference Interview is a comprehensive six-week asynchronous course focusing on the methods of evaluating reference services, behavioral aspects of reference service, and the different types of questions that can be used to help patrons identify what they need. Using images and texts, this in-depth educational approach covers everything from the approachability of the librarian to how to follow up with the patron. Scheduled chat sessions will model interviewing techniques using sample dialogues.
Reference Interview is tailored for support staff, library technicians, newly hired reference librarians, and those librarians who want to brush up on their interview skills. The topics covered are introductory in nature. Class segments are geared to cover issues of interest to staff in all types of libraries.
Learning Outcomes:
The instructor, David Tyckoson, has almost 40 years of experience in academic libraries. He is currently a reference librarian at the Henry Madden Library, California State University, Fresno.
Enhance your knowledge of Federal Government information through the FDLP Academy. The Federal Depository Library Program offers the FDLP Academy for webinars and webcasts. FDLP Academy Training Repository has free videos of previous events.
Recent webinars include:
Library 2.0 is one of the first modern social networks for librarians and educators.
Webinar courses include:
SimpleK12: Professional Development in Your Pajamas offers practical online teacher training" webinars are specifically geared toward K-12 teachers, some offerings may also be of interest to librarians.
Some simpleK12 educational webinars are free.
Examples of free webinars and recordings:
A non-profit supported by a large global network of funders and donors, TechSoup helps you stay up-to-date on technology and continue to innovate.
Most courses are free. Tech-focused learning content examples include:
Emerging Tech is a free professional learning community where school librarians, teachers, and administrators can explore all the ways to integrate technology into 21st century learning.
Membership includes free monthly edWeb webinars.
At WebJunction, library-specific courses and webinar recordings are available for free to all library workers and volunteers. Through the generous support of OCLC and many state library agencies across the US, WebJunction provides timely and relevant learning content for you to access anytime, from anywhere.
Course and webinar topics include:
The ABLE (Alternative Basic Library Education) program offers online tutorials on basic library-related skills.
The SABLE (Supplemental Alternative Basic Library Education) program provides additional resources to supplement the ABLE tutorials for library staff members who have no formal education in library science.