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Lansing Community College Library Services

Reference & Instruction Guide: Appointment

Policies, procedures, best practices and training guide, for reference and instruction services.

Appointment Reference Service

Provides private, personalized and uninterrupted research assistance for 30 minutes, including plans for next steps in research to foster independent learning.

Learn more on the Meet with a Librarian webpage on the Library website.  Scheduler duties outlined in network files Library > Reference  > Appointments > Scheduler Duties

Student Expectations

To obtain a private, personalized and uninterrupted 30 minute research help session.

Help may include:

  • know how to select the best resources for their assignment
  • accessing and navigating electronic resources
  • developing search strategies
  • evaluating sources
  • citing sources

Students should leave the session with a plan for next steps to continue their research.  As well as to all options for follow-up or future research help.

Librarian Expectations

In a 30 minute session, librarian should:
  • Negotiate session outcomes with student or faculty / employee.
  • Instill confidence in the student by coaching research skills.
  • Help student create a checklist of research tips and next steps for the student to accomplish their research goal. See examples of checklists/handouts in the network files (Library --> Reference --> Appointment)
  • Encourage use of  Ask A Librarian options for follow-up or future research questions.  
  • Ask student to complete a short survey - link located at bottom right of Make an Appointment web page under "Assessment"
  • Log the reference transaction at the online Reference Contact form - as location = Appointment.  This important for stats.

How Librarians Can Prep for an Appt

  1. F2F meeting book a study or multimedia room. Student will meet you at the Ref Desk.
    Phone meeting confirm the date & time with requester and let them know the LCC phone number to expect to be seen on their caller ID.
    *Send email to SS-LIBREF of confirmed Ref Appt Date & Time.  Ref Scheduler will update W2W, which is important for stats.
    **If another modality offered and confirmed by requester provide requestor expectation details.
    For example: if Chat Appointment let them know of if they get picked up by someone else to ask for you as LCC Librarian. If WebEx or Skype appointment confirmed let requester know of expectations.
  2. You may consider contacting the requesting student or faculty prior to the appointment to clarify their needs.
  3. Review and gather handouts from the network files Library >  Reference > Appointments > Resources to use with student or faculty in your session.
  4. Do some preliminary research so you can share tips with the student on their topic. 
  5. Plan a 25 minute session the best you can.

History of Appointment Service

This service began after Spring Break in the Spring 2017 semester.  It was identified as a possible desired service for students & employees since the campus has other academic appointment-based services offerings.