Comments on: Why Your Library Should Do One on One Appointments http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/why-your-library-should-do-one-on-one-appointments/ the neverending reference interview of life Fri, 17 May 2013 00:38:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: “I came to the library to get information, not to have a conversation with the librarian,” or “the user experience in the library” | A Searching Librarian http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/why-your-library-should-do-one-on-one-appointments/#comment-5251 Sat, 27 Aug 2011 03:57:13 +0000 https://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/why-your-library-should-do-one-on-one-appointments/#comment-5251 [...] I’d add that it if one person is having the problem, you can bet a few others are too, they just don’t want to speak up.  So, in the spirit of the confessional, I went to a library website homepage just two days ago to do a search and it took me over a minute to work out where the link was to the catalogue search function…  (Andy Woodworth followed up this post with one titled Why your library should do one on one appointments [10.08.2011]). [...]

]]> By: LibGirl09 http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/why-your-library-should-do-one-on-one-appointments/#comment-5202 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:34:15 +0000 https://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/why-your-library-should-do-one-on-one-appointments/#comment-5202 I work in a small, public library. We started offering 45-minute one-on-one computer skills lessons last year. Customers had to schedule in advance. We didn’t really publicize it, but staff would mention it when customers came in needing extra assistance. Out of a reference staff of five only two of us were willing to teach the one-on-one. However, over time, the one-on-one sessions stopped. I think because we were not promoting them enough. Because there was no lack in requests for assistance on the computer.

I decided to launch a formal class this spring. We advertised through fliers and posters inside the library. I was the only one interested in teaching group classes. I developed a curriculum and taught a 3-week course that included basic computer skills, internet, and email. It was very popular. I taught three sessions over the spring & summer. I could only accept up to ten people per class due to limited computer availability. My biggest frustration were the no-shows though. I would have ten people registered and then six would show up. And that is after having 15+ people express interest each session.

This post is very helpful to me. I took a break from offering the classes, because 1) our library is scheduled to close for renovation … someday soon…we were supposed to close a couple of months ago, and 2) I am re-evaluating how to offer the computer training sessions going forward. I am still the only reference staff person really passionate about this though. I definitely want to continue with the group format, but also implement the one-on-one sessions again too.

Questions:
- How many staff teach these lessons at your library?
- How did you go about preparing a curriculum?
- Do you only teach what you are familiar with?

]]> By: bumsonseats http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/why-your-library-should-do-one-on-one-appointments/#comment-5195 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 06:14:35 +0000 https://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/why-your-library-should-do-one-on-one-appointments/#comment-5195 Thanks Andy. I’ll give it a go :)

]]> By: Andy http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/why-your-library-should-do-one-on-one-appointments/#comment-5192 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 04:45:44 +0000 https://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/why-your-library-should-do-one-on-one-appointments/#comment-5192 Wow. That sounds like the idea is being strangled. How are you supposed to get it noticed?

You could try advertising it on something else that is handed out to patrons: calendars, pamphlets, flyers, etc. It makes it a 2-for-1 deal.

]]> By: bumsonseats http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/why-your-library-should-do-one-on-one-appointments/#comment-5187 Sun, 14 Aug 2011 19:57:52 +0000 https://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/why-your-library-should-do-one-on-one-appointments/#comment-5187 We’ve only advertised it in our main libraries (all branches had a memo but who knows if anyone took notice), as it’s not easy to get press releases allowed and posters are not well liked by bosses. I try to get staff to mention it when someone has a query but not sure that’s done.

]]> By: Andy http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/why-your-library-should-do-one-on-one-appointments/#comment-5185 Sun, 14 Aug 2011 18:21:23 +0000 https://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/why-your-library-should-do-one-on-one-appointments/#comment-5185 Where have you advertised it?

]]> By: Deb S http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/why-your-library-should-do-one-on-one-appointments/#comment-5184 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 20:15:30 +0000 https://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/why-your-library-should-do-one-on-one-appointments/#comment-5184 Interesting! We just started one on one computer sessions this week at my public library. We scheduled 30 min sessions with our reference staff from 10-4pm 3 days a week . It was very popular and the sessions filled quickly. With my sessions I found that 30 minutes was not enough time, I think we’ll have to talk about extending the time. The other thing that came up was several patrons who want to book time every day. Do you have any limits on booking appointments?

]]> By: bumsonseats http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/why-your-library-should-do-one-on-one-appointments/#comment-5183 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:39:23 +0000 https://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/why-your-library-should-do-one-on-one-appointments/#comment-5183 We are trying to advertise our online resources through one-to-one sessions but not take-up. Any suggestions?

]]> By: Andy http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/why-your-library-should-do-one-on-one-appointments/#comment-5182 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 04:24:03 +0000 https://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/why-your-library-should-do-one-on-one-appointments/#comment-5182 I agree. I consider it to be part of the overall whole, not an extra.

]]> By: Andy http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/why-your-library-should-do-one-on-one-appointments/#comment-5181 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 04:23:25 +0000 https://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/why-your-library-should-do-one-on-one-appointments/#comment-5181 The alternative to a class would be to have calling hours or time dedicated during the week to people coming in with their laptops on a ‘first come first served’ basis. You may need to train people to try to accept those hours and just improv it from there.

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