Public Services in Special Collections, SPEC Kit 296 (November 2006)

Turcotte, Florence; Nemmers, John

Public Services in Special Collections · 43
15. Please indicate which of the following services are provided to patrons by Special Collections
staff. Check all that apply. N=78
N
On-site
Patrons
Off-site
Patrons
Help patrons identify materials in the collections 78 78 74
Photocopy materials for patrons 76 70 72
Conduct instruction sessions/presentations in the library
related to access and use of Special Collections
75 75 27
Digitize materials for patrons 74 72 72
Create CDs/DVDs for patrons 66 62 65
Conduct instruction sessions/presentations in the
classroom related to access and use of Special Collections
63 62 23
Provide materials to patrons of other libraries via ILL 58 33 56
Photograph materials for patrons 56 53 52
Conduct research for patrons 50 28 48
Contact patrons to alert them to acquisitions that might
satisfy their research needs (similar to “reader alerts” used
in public libraries)
39 37 27
Microfilm materials for patrons 28 27 26
Request materials for own patrons from other libraries via
ILL
16 15 10
Other 9 7 7
Please describe other service.
“‘Alerts’ done informally for faculty. Some preliminary research done for remote patrons to answer basic
questions.”
“Exhibits (tangible and digital).”
“May refer patrons to other libraries known to have resources which might be helpful to patron.”
“Online exhibits, digitization projects, and online digital video productions.”
“Online lists of frequently answered research questions.”
“Provide list of independent ‘researchers for hire’ that can assist them with research beyond the level of
reference service we provide.”
“Presentations to community groups or school groups not affiliated with [the university].”

Previous Page Next Page

SPEC Kit 296: Public Services in Special Collections (November 2006) resources

Help

44 · SPEC Kit 296
16. Please indicate how reproductions of Special Collections materials are delivered to patrons.
Check all that apply. N=79
N
On-site
Patrons
Off-site
Patrons
Mail 78 64 77
Patron picks up material at Special Collections service desk 76 76 41
E-mail 72 54 72
Fax 64 42 64
Express delivery service 50 24 50
FTP site 24 16 24
Other 10 10 10
Please describe other method.
On-site Patrons Off-site Patrons
CDs √ √
Download from server √ √
On-campus file sharing service √
Pick up at general library circulation desk √
Pick up at reference desks and access desks √ √
Self-service photocopiers in RR √
Copies provided via photoduplication service √
17. Please indicate if fees are charged to either on-site or off-site patrons for any of the following
direct costs. Check all that apply. If a fee is charged, please enter the amount of the charge
(e.g., $.25, $1, $5) and the unit of charge (e.g., hour, page, exposure, etc.). N=77
Fee Charged N=77
N
On-site Patrons Off-site Patrons
Yes No Yes No
Photocopies 77 74 2 71 4
Digital reproductions 74 63 10 68 6
Digital media (CDs, DVDs, etc.) 67 51 15 53 13
Delivery costs (e.g., postage) 66 42 14 56 9
Photographs 62 56 5 56 4
Staff time (e.g., conducting research,
creating reproductions)
57 21 33 24 32
Microfilm 43 27 15 27 14
Other 15 14 — 13 —

Previous Page Next Page

SPEC Kit 296: Public Services in Special Collections (November 2006) resources

42 · SPEC Kit 296
in a specific collection relating to the request. All patrons receive one-on-one attention until their request is
satisfied.”
“Users are requested to complete an identification form, indicate nature of topic, and staff (whichever
category is available at the time), post follow-up questions to narrow in on topic of inquiry. Librarians never
become involved. We do not employ librarians, but we hire archivists.”
“We have three staff members (all have been here for at least 10–15 years each), one librarian who sits
regularly at the reading room desk. If the researcher is new, the staff at the desk will ask them briefly about
their research topic, register, and orient them to the reading room policies and procedures. Once these steps
are complete, staff will provide more in-depth information regarding the collection(s) the researcher is here
to view. Many researchers have been in contact with the librarian prior to their arrival. In these cases, the
librarian will be called out after the registration process to welcome them and discuss their research further,
if needed. The librarian, if not at the desk already, will also become involved with the reference interview if
the researcher is beginning an extensive research project and/or whose project will result in publication. The
librarian and curators will become involved when a faculty member/student will be using materials for a class
project.”
“With the exception of one professional and one staff dedicated to public service, all staff take shifts on the
reference desk. Once the registration form is filled out, all staff work with researchers of all levels to assist
them in finding what they need.”
Other Reference Approaches
“Interact w/faculty at all stages. Graduate students page materials &ready reference collections.”
“Meet initially with senior reference librarian or archivist. The senior reference librarian and/or archivists are
available for consultations as needed. Assistance varies, but generally reference and archives staff provide a
high level of service.”
“Patron interacts with the Head of Special Collections librarian for all of the above.”
“Patrons first interact with librarians and archivists, although sometimes we do employ students. So, the initial
reference interview is conducted by a professional. The level of assistance is high, because we also point
patrons to additional sources within our special collections and to other collections in the area.”
“Patrons interact with an archivist/librarian when they first enter Special Collections. Their initial questions
are discussed with an archivist/librarian. Archivist/librarians are always involved in the reference interview.
Basic identification of resources and checking of information is provided to patrons. Extensive research is not
provided to patrons.”
“Referral/intro to librarian/archivist”
“Typically, a researcher comes into the reading room and is greeted by an archivist or the librarian. The
reference interview can be short or quite involved, depending on what is required by the researcher. Finding
aids, reference tools, online catalogs, Web sites, etc. may be suggested as forms of assistance.”
“We do not have a special collections area. Patrons rely on regular reference librarians, graduate student
assistants, and subject specialists to discuss research questions.”

Previous Page Next Page

SPEC Kit 296: Public Services in Special Collections (November 2006) resources

Help

loading

SPEC Kit 296: Public Services in Special Collections (November 2006) resources

SPEC Kit 296: Public Services in Special Collections (November 2006) resources