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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Recurso educativo Open Access |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
1977
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED138244 |
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Table of Contents:
- A Technical Report on a Role Analysis Prepared for the Reference Department of Margaret I. King Library University of Kentucky. Howell, Benita J. And Others College Libraries Data Analysis Data Collection Interviews Librarians Library Research Library Services Library Surveys Questionnaires Reference Services Role Perception Semantic Differential Task Analysis Use Studies A role analysis study of the Margaret I. King Library reference department focused on organization of role activities, their evaluation by reference staff, and patron satisfaction. Observation, interview, and questionnaire techniques were employed to (1) obtain staff job history and academic training; (2) inventory activities from which a list of 93 role activities was compiled; (3) determine on a seven point scale using semantic differential staff's perceptions of activities with respect to importance, interest, complexity, and confidence in performance ability; and (4) determine patron satisfaction and consensus between staff and patrons regarding encounters. Patron service, instruction, and skill maintenance were seen by staff as highly important; the latter two were considered most interesting. Confidence in performance ability varied little between activities. Clerical maintenance was viewed as least complex, and skill maintenance and instruction as most complex: staff were more interested in complex activities. According to patrons, librarians determined their needs accurately in 80 percent of the encounters and in 87 percent provided the right amount of information. The study concluded that role analysis provides insights into effective reference service factors and the importance of the librarian as teacher rather than as information source. The appendices include forms for all interviews and questionnaires. (KP)