[WEB4LIB] Collegiality is unchanged; ditto the reference interview

[Joyce M. Latham]

But what if you, as a digital resource, are part of the research?  As I
pointed out to Mr. Drew, we often seek clarification of those posing
questions about the scope of their project.  If he had not identified
himself as a student, what would the response have been?

Joyce Latham
GSLIS -- UofI

Frank Bridge wrote:
> 
> I saw the student's posting in the same way as Mr. Drew--it was
> difficult to determine what the student wanted.    His posting suffered
> from the same problem as any other reference question we receive daily
> on the floors of our libraries--determining the exact nature of the
> inquiry, and the lengths to which the answerer is expected to go in
> order to provide a satisfactory response.
> 
> This is particularly interesting to untangle when the asker is a student
> who is expected to gain educational experience from performing the
> research and completing the assignment himself.
> 
> "Joyce M. Latham" wrote:
> >
> > My students are also doing a Web4Lib assignment ... although you may not
> > be aware of them.  They have been monitoring the contents of the site
> > all semester, and we discuss what topics emerge on the list every
> > Friday.  I have also occasionally encouraged students to post a query to
> > the list ... usually because I don't know the answer to the question.
> >
> > The point is to investigate what avenues are available to assist with
> > the diffusion of IT knowledge.  I don't know about anyone else, but when
> > I got started with IT in libraries the collegiality within the
> > profession was critical to the successful (most of the time) adoption of
> > technology -- especially in my libraries.  I was often just a step or
> > two ahead of everyone else in the library, so got the IT management
> > job.  It was challenging -- and often scary.  We needed to help each
> > other.
> >
> >   While I was in NC, we started a microcomputers users group
> > for libraries that sponsored a computer camp for librarians every summer
> > -- ran for a week and cost $100.  You could learn how to take a pc apart
> > and put it back together, or you could learn dBASE III+, or Lotus ...
> > those of us who knew something, sponsored a track ... those of us who
> > didn't, took the classes in the track ... too bad we've commercialized
> > so much of what we know ...
> >
> > We cared about enabling our colleagues ... I hope we still do.  As far
> > as I'm concerned, my students -- any students -- are as much my
> > colleagues as any practicing librarian who already knows it all and
> > doesn't need any help.  We have an opportunity here to continue the
> > supportive environment that can promote best practice and network the
> > lonely techies out there in libraries all over the country ...
> >
> > Joyce Latham
> > Graduate School of Library and Information Science
> > University of Illinois
> >
> > "Drew, Bill" wrote:
> > >
> > > Are we now doing homework for LIS students?  What does "Bill" want from us?
> > >
> > > Bill Drew
> >
> > --
> > Joyce M. Latham
> > GSLIS -- University of Illinois
> 
> --
> Frank R. Bridge,
> Technology Management Administrator
> Chesterfield County Public Library
> 9501 Lori Rd.
> PO Box 297
> Chesterfield, VA  23832-0297
> Voice:  804-748-1980
> Fax:            804-751-4679

-- 
Joyce M. Latham
GSLIS -- University of Illinois