Reference Interview 101
eLearning
Reference Interview is a comprehensive six-week asynchronous course focusing on the methods of evaluating reference services, behavioral aspects of reference service, and the different types of questions that can be used to help patrons identify what they need. Using images and texts, this in-depth educational approach covers everything from the approachability of the librarian to how to follow up with the patron. Scheduled chat sessions will model interviewing techniques using sample dialogues.
Reference Interview is tailored for support staff, library technicians, newly hired reference librarians, and those librarians who want to brush up on their interview skills. The topics covered are introductory in nature. Class segments are geared to cover issues of interest to staff in all types of libraries.
Learning Outcomes
- Module 1: Introduction
- Module 2: Reference Evaluation
- Module 3: Behaviorial Guidelines
- Module 4: Approachability
- Module 5: The Reference Interview Environment
- Module 6: Questionning and Listening Techniques
- Module 7: The Reference Interview: Dialogues
- Module 8: The Reference Interview: Follow-up
Previous Course Attendees have said:
The Reference Interview Course really helped me improve as a future librarian. It didn't just make me better at my job technically, but it also taught me how important it is to understand and communicate well with people who come to the library. Thanks to Dave's great and easy teaching and the detailed course from the RUSA ALA, I'm now much better at helping our library visitors. I'm very thankful for this chance to learn, and I'm excited to keep using what I learned to make our library a better place for everyone.
Gaby Gomez, Seminole County Library Services (Florida)
I took Reference Interview 101 last spring and so enjoyed brushing up on this topic with Dave Tyckoson as my instructor. He made what could be a very dry topic engaging and interesting, often personalizing it, which held my interest while also reminding me of the importance of my position when answering patron’s reference questions: Making myself approachable and also to ask the proper open-ended questions to get to the real question patrons are trying to ask, but often do not know how to articulate to us. Lastly, I never felt anxiety over the quizzes or the work shared with fellow students online and had such fun when practicing what we learned with my partner as a final small project. I highly recommend this as a refresher and reminder for something that seems so basic, but has everything to do with building relationships with our patrons and their comfort in using our public library.
Lisa Gottshall, Manitowoc Public Library (Wisconsin)
This was a good experience. The class has given me tools to use as an Librarian.
Karen Robinson, Amarillo Public Library
Instructor
David Tyckoson has almost 40 years of experience in academic libraries. He is currently a reference librarian at the Henry Madden Library, California State University, Fresno. Past positions include serving as Head of the Reference Department at SUNY-Albany, Reference Librarian at Iowa State University, and Science Librarian at Miami University (Ohio). Tyckoson has also taught in the Graduate Library schools a SUNY-Albany and the University of Illinois.
In addition, Tyckoson is a Past-President of RUSA. He has written extensively on libraries and reference services, having published over 75 journal articles and book chapters. He has presented at over 60 conferences and was awarded the 2005 Isadore Gilbert Mudge Award for distinguished contribution to reference librarianship
How to Register
- Online
- By Email: download, complete and email form (PDF) to registration@ala.org
- By Mail: Download, complete and mail form (PDF) to American Library Association, ATTN: MACS/Online CE Registration, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60601
Credits
Continuing Education Credit- A certificate of completion will be sent to each participant upon successful completion of a course.
Although this course is not CEU-certified, many licensing boards will accept it for credit. Requirements vary by state and school district regarding certification and continuing education credits. The decision to grant CEU credits remains entirely up to your state or school district. If you are in need of credits, check with your state and/or school district before enrolling to determine eligibility. Some states will review your certificate of completion and course description to determine eligibility.
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