Reference Interview: Parts 2 & 3

If I were to judge my experience with our practice reference "interviews", my opinion would be that the difference between them was night and day. An "interview" was actually conducted by my in-person reference and virtually non-existent with the online reference (Ohio Library IM Service). To its credit, online reference gave me some titles that would help me with my research topic. Having said that, I should have been asked more specifically of what and why I need the topic I am looking for. If that was done, then I would not have to get books that I don't need. My in-person reference was great. I was asked the right questions, hence was able to be given the correct information. Overall, I was very satisfied with our reference interview training. The information I learned will help enhance the service I provide to our patrons. From what I gather from people's experiences, the training we just performed is a must for some of the online reference personnel.