Reference Transaction Assessment: A Survey of New York State Academic and Public Libraries.

摘要

Due to ongoing library skill development needs, technology impacts, and different patterns of librarian-patron interactions at the reference desk, librarians are seeking the best ways to provide reference services. Really understanding reference service activity requires tracking and assessment. This study reviews reference transaction assessment methodologies of New York State academic and public libraries. Results indicate that the majority of organizations use transaction data for internal and external reporting, with 50% or more also using data for adjusting service hours, staffing, and monitoring trends. More than 70% would like to improve their assessment of transaction data. The majority continue to use handwritten tick mark or tally sheets, while a number of tools designed or adapted for reference assessment provide options for additional automation of the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]