Reference Interview is a comprehensive six-week course focusing on the methods of evaluating reference service, 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 text, this in-depth educational approach covers everything from the approachability of the librarian to how to follow up with a 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: Behavioral Guidelines
- Module 4: Approachability
- Module 5: The Reference Interview Environment
- Module 6: Questioning and Listening Techniques
- Module 7: The Reference Interview: Dialogues
- Module 8: The Reference Interview: Follow-up
Benefits of Participating in eLearning from RUSA:
- Learn directly from subject matter experts and gain essential skills for your professional growth
- Your purchase helps fund advocacy, awareness, and accreditation programs for library professionals
- You help support RUSA, which is a leading advocate group for library resources and information services and collections
Who Should Attend
- Support Staff
- Library techniques
- Newly hired reference librarians
- Librarians who want to brush up on their interview skills
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
Registration
Cost
- $129.58 for RUSA members
- $188.10 for ALA members
- $209.00 for non-ALA members
- $141.08 for student members
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
Tech Requirements
ALA courses are hosted eLearning.org. All content for this course will be provided y the instructor. No textbook required. If you have question, please visit FAQs.
The course site will remain open one week after the end date for students to complete any assignments and submit the course evaluation survey, at www.moodle.org
Contact
Questions about your registration should be directed to registration@ala.org. Technical questions about the course should be directed to Ninah Moore at nmoore@ala.org
Thank you and we look forward to your participation!