It Is Not Just About the Schedule: Key Factors in Effective Reference Desk Scheduling and Management
Susan Sciammarella, Maria Isabel Fernandes, Devin McKay · Community & Junior College Libraries · 2008
Reference desk scheduling is one of the most challenging tasks in the organizational structure of an academic library. The ability to turn this challenge into a workable and effective function lies with the scheduler and indirectly the cooperation of all librarians scheduled for reference desk service. It is the scheduler's sensitivity to such factors as dealing with human nature that each librarian brings to the reference desk. There are certain dynamics at play between librarians and patrons. Combining these dynamics with the components for the reference desk schedule, adding management techniques for conflict resolution, evolves into an effective reference desk schedule beneficial to the patrons and librarians.