Folsom Library Institutes a New Reference Model

If you've visited the Folsom Library recently, you've probably noticed that the Information Desk/Reference Desk you would encounter when you walked in is no longer there. What's more, the Circulation Desk has been renamed the Service Desk. Why the changes, you ask?  You can read all about the new reference model the Folsom Library has implemented in the just-published ENY/ACRL (Eastern New York Chapter of the Association of College and Research Libraries) newsletter. Director Bob Mayo and Manager of the Architecture Library and Reference and Instructional Services Fran Scott wrote the article you'll find on page 3:  http://www.enyacrl.org/Fall2011Newsletter.pdf 

Last June I attended the 2011 Annual NYSLAA (New York State Library Assistants' Association) Conference held on the campus of the State University of New York Geneseo (where Bob got his Master's in Library Science, by the way). One of the workshops I attended was "Single Service Point:  The Future of Library Service," presented by members of SUNY Geneseo's Service Desk management team who had just gone the single service point route. The speakers said that it took them a little less than a year to iron out the wrinkles, but comments from patrons have all been positive and the librarians and support staff are happy with the outcome because they're afforded more time to work on other tasks. One of the librarians at Geneseo noted that they depend a lot on their student workers; they've proven to be integral part to making the new model work. According to our Service Desk staff, Rensselaer students working in the Folsom Library are doing an admirable job taking on their new duties, too.

Student worker Erin Gilbert and Library Specialist Michele Matthews assist students at the Service Desk.

Adrienne Birchler
Coordinator
Friends of the Folsom Library