Is anybody out there solving the problem of the Reference Desk?
I was thinking back to my undergraduate days the other day and came to the realization that although I had worked as a library assistant during those days and spent an enormous amount of my time (as I'm sure most of us did!) at various on-campus libraries, that I was hard-pressed to remember approaching Reference with any questions. If I did use reference services back then it could not have been very frequently and obviously they are not memorable experiences if I now have no recollection. I certainly do not chalk this up to my superior search skills at the time. No, most likely I was too intimidated to approach the desk or could not be bothered so just used typical workarounds to find suitable information.
I know we've all discussed the various ways to solve the problem of the reference desk, but I wonder which Ontario libraries are currently employing radical solutions? I know that the local branches of my TPL still have the dreaded reference desk. Eye contact does not seem to be all too common in my experience as I hover near the desk.
Is it crazy to expect someone to approach me to ask me if I need any help? I expect this at The Gap, but it seems beyond the pale to expect it at my library. Why has this continued to be the norm?
Any thoughts?


Recent comments
14 hours 40 min ago
14 hours 40 min ago
14 hours 42 min ago
14 hours 43 min ago
14 hours 44 min ago