Reference service and computers--further reflections

[Susan D. Barb]

I have been lurking on this list for several months now and have
gathered invaluable information on a variety of topics.  Finally there
is one on which I feel somewhat qualified to post.  I am currently the
"techie" librarian on the reference staff of a public library serving a
population of 125,000.  Technology in the form of a small CD-ROM LAN
entered the library tow years ago and this year saw the advent of our
single internet access station.  None of the reference staff knew much
more than how to log on via dumb terminals to our host computer for the
online catalog.  As the only staff member who had invested personal time
in learning to troubleshoot both hardware and software, I became what is
essentially a subject specialist.  The result is a reference staff who
can handle minor problems with the hardware and software on a regular
basis and a "specialist" who can be called for consultation on more
complex problems or information.  I get called frequently not just to
fix the computer, but to do more specialized training of a patron who
needs more in depth knowledge than just how to access the basic
resources.  We have similar arrangements for various other subject
specialties such as local history, mysteries, art and antiques,
literature etc.  This method works very well for us.  We are a
relatively small staff and not everyone can know everything.  We all
know the basics and we refer to the specialist when necessary.
I will admit that this may change when we open our new Information
Technology Center with 18 networked pc's with integrated access to all
our electronic resources, but at least I have been allowed to hire a
part time librarian with excellent technology skills to help out.

Susan Barb
Electronic Resources Librarian
Orange Public Library
Orange, CA  92866
sbarb at pacbell.net