Milne Library at SUNY Geneseo is in the midst of a Service overhaul that includes a major physical transformation of the Circulation, Tech Help, and Reference desks, scheduled to take place this summer. Our goal is to integrate our many service desks to a single service point manned by student workers and library support staff who will handle all unscheduled library queries ranging from check-in and check-out questions, to IDS and Tech help questions, to on-the-spot reference questions. Students and staff will be trained to handle any basic questions from our patrons. All questions that they may find themselves unable to answer will be referred to the appropriate department.
The Reference desk will be transformed and expanded into an enclosed research area adjacent to the main service desk. This area will have all of the appropriate technology and other materials conducive to a complete reference interview. Scheduled research consultations , already a popular service with students and faculty, will be heavily promoted and are expected to continue to thrive and expand in this new model. For at least the first year, a reference librarian will remain on duty in this new research area available for walk-in reference questions.
Training programs are being developed and implemented for both staff and students. Basic reference training has already been provided for the staff, and will continue to be provided as the physical changes to the service desk are implemented. Students will receive training in a classroom setting, on-the-job, and through an online course management system. All of this adds up to improving the services Milne provides for the College community.
If you have any questions or concerns about this change, please feel free to leave a comment on this posting and we will respond.
