Reference training

This unit covers routine communications, professional development, and keeping statistics.

Routine Communication

The library uses several different communication methods for general information. In addition, campus libraries and groups may adopt various communication tools. Be sure you have turned on appropriate notifications and/or routines to keep yourself informed for your reference work as well as a GSU library employee. 

Be sure to routinely check:

• GSU Email
• Library Intranet Blog
• Microsoft Teams messages for your department and campus and any groups you belong to.
• LibCal for research appointments and appointment availability (if applicable)

Outlook Calendar

GSU employees are required to maintain a current calendar in Outlook and share their calendar as required by their supervisors. These calendars facilitate scheduling meetings and otherwise communicate availability to those who need to know.

Different campuses and departments use different methods to maintain internal schedules, such as a service desk schedule.

For part-time employees, it may be helpful to block off time you are unavailable during a normal workday even if it is not part of your normal schedule so you are not invited to meetings or put on the chat schedule when you are not working. (If your schedule allows flexibility on this point, you do not need to block off ALL the time you are not working.) For example, say I am part time and normally work 9-1 Monday - Friday. There is a training I want to attend on Tuesday at 2, so I can work with my supervisor to adjust my work hours so I can attend the training. However, I have a doctor's appointment on Friday and I don't want to be invited to a meeting at that time, so I go ahead and put "private meeting" or "unavailable" on my calendar so it is clear that I am unavailable.

Note that if you participate in chat in LibStaffer or research appointments using LibCal, you can synch those with your Outlook calendar so you do not need to separately maintain exceptions and appointments on your calendars.

Training in the Library

The library, the university, and the Georgia Library Association have additional training opportunities to keep you informed and enhance your skills.

• LibChat Training (highly recommended)- Jason Puckett offers LibChat training a few times a year. The LibChat Libguide can be used for training and as a resource.
• RefChat Training for Perimeter - This series of videos and mini-lessons is publishes on Friday and collected here.
• Employee Development Days - Typically a couple of times per year, employees are expected to attend these days. Often important training and communication happens at these events as well as some opportunities to get to know colleagues at other campuses.
• Database Trainings - Representatives from database vendors supply training about their products. This is especially helpful for new and updated databases.
• Training in a Flash - In-house trainings may be on fun topics, professional development, or new library services. (You could even give one! Contact the Faculty Development Committee.)

Training outside the library

• Webinars - Typically lasting about an hour, webinars can be a great way to get training on various topics. Especially look out for the Carterette Series Webinars from the Georgia Library Association.
• LinkedIn Learning - Formerly known as Lynda.com, this video-based training ranges from quick videos to full courses, sometimes with exercises. Many courses have certificates you can add to your portfolio. They cover technology skills as well as practically any other information you might use! (Note: LinkedIn Learning is not specific to libraries.)
• Conferences - gatherings for one or more days are a great way to learn and build your professional network. Some popular conferences that don't require extensive travel include:
  • GLITR (Georgia Library Instruction, Teaching, and Reference) - a free, one-day conference typically in June. This conference typically focuses on reference and instruction.
  • GALILEO - this is a free or low-cost, one day conference. It is typically held in Macon (or recently, online) and includes various topics related to the GALILEO collection of databases as well as services such as Affordable Learning Georgia.
  • GUGM (GIL Users Group Meeting) -  Low-cost or free, the one-day GUGM conference is aimed mainly at the USG libraries that use a shared Alma/Primo library management system. Some sessions are general and others are focused on the technical aspects of the catalog and circulation systems. Traditionally held in Macon, the conference has been online in recent years.
  • Georgia Libraries Conference (GLC). This three day conference is usually held in early October and had some one-day options. Its physical location varies. It was online during COVID and is now offering both online and in-person formats.
• Professional Reading - Let's not forget the books and journals we have available to us through the library! Some popular online journals for staying current in the profession:
  • American Libraries Magazine is the official magazine of the American Library Association. It publishes news and articles on topics of importance to libraries and librarians.
  • College and Research Libraries News is the official newsmagazine and publication of record of the Association of College & Research Libraries,  providing articles on the latest trends and practices affecting academic and research libraries.

The library keeps lots of statistics! Some stats help us evaluate our services and some are required reporting to organizations outside of libraries. Here are some statistics you may be asked to keep:

Patron Transactions: When a patron asks a question at the service desk, on the phone or email, use the Patron Transaction form to report this information UNLESS the transaction is not covered in some other way. You DO record location and technology questions, and questions about GSU in general, as well as reference questions. You DO NOT need to record transactions that are recorded in some other way, such as circulation transactions (automatically recorded in ALMA) and chat reference transactions. These transactions are rated on our modified READ scale. (See video below.)

Chat reference: At the end of transactions in LibChat, you are prompted to enter statistics about the transaction. This form is similar to the patron transaction form but the information is stored separately in LibInsight. These transactions are rated on our modified READ scale. (See video below.)

Research Appointments All Reference-Instruction librarians and some Reference Specialists offer research appointments. Students (or faculty) can book these appointments online at lib.gsu.edu/appt. Students can choose a specific librarian or simply choose an appointment time and a librarian available at that time will be selected automatically. Research and Engagement librarians at the Atlanta campus also offer research consultations, but each manages their appointments themselves. Students should look at the librarian's profile to get contact information. Record your research appointments in two ways:

• as patron transactions, making sure to select the "scheduled in advance" option.
• go into LibCal and mark the patron as show/no show.

Gate Count - Recorded daily at Perimeter campuses, each campus has its own practice on how this information is collected and entered into LibInsight. (You may or may not participate in Gate Count.)