From the Front Lines

docx

School

University of Nebraska, Omaha *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

4710

Subject

Arts Humanities

Date

Oct 30, 2023

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by irvinehy

From the Front Lines Discussion Board Each candidate will write a 4 paragraph post about the interview that must include: 1. Challenges that reference librarians face in 21st Century libraries; (5 points) 2. One digital and print reference resource used most often by the professional in their particular information setting including explanations regarding the significance of each; (5 points) 3. The professional’s perspective on the elements of reference interactions; (5 points) 4. How does the professional promote library resources; (5 points) 5. APA citations when appropriate including personal communication citations for interviews. (5 points) I spoke with Kent Mulcahy, the genealogy and local history manager at Cincinnati Public Library, who informed me that the library had combined their genealogy and reference departments. Kent had various challenges to discuss regarding reference librarians in the 21 st century, with the greatest factor, in his opinion, being keeping the library relevant (K. Mulcahy, personal communication, September 8, 2023). He talked about the fact that it is much easier to find things on your own in the digital age, and the possibility that people may not want to leave their house which has resulted in the option for many different virtual reference and genealogical services. Kent also said that another big challenge as time goes on is the priority for reference librarians and eluded that the branching of reference and genealogy was an example of this already taking place. When asked about digital reference resources that are used most often, Kent said that most of the questions the library receives inquire about local history, so the digitized local newspapers were the most used digital resource (K. Mulcahy, personal communication, September 8, 2023). The library has several databases with access to local Cincinnati history that patrons can access on the library’s website, digital exhibits about Cincinnati history, and the option to contact a librarian with questions regarding research (Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library, 2023). Kent said that, “Physically, print resources have been used less and less but the library does have one of the largest collections of print genealogical records that hasn’t been digitized yet,” which brings in researchers from many different places (K. Mulcahy, personal communication, September 8, 2023). Kent mentioned reading body language and having good communication skills as keys to a good reference interaction (K. Mulcahy, personal communication, September 8, 2023). Kent also said that sometimes, “Customers don’t know the right words to describe their need,” so it’s important for librarians to make patrons aware of resources that “… they likely don’t know exist,” which might help evolve their questions (K. Mulcahy, personal communication, September 8, 2023). Kent says he tries to stay informed on all the genealogical resources available at the library so that he can inform inquiring patrons. Kent said that promoting library resources is a vast and extensive challenge for the library, and embraced the fact that, “Reference work is probably not what libraries will push in the future,” (K. Mulcahy, personal communication, September 8, 2023). He said that librarians work to be creative enough to make reference work “cool” on social media, because the Cincinnati Public Library’s social media traffic is so much greater than the traffic of their website (K. Mulcahy, personal communication, September 8, 2023). The library’s Instagram page has quick links to helpful information, like services offered at the library, recent events, a link to locate a nearby branch, and a link to apply for a library card (Cincy Library, 2021-2023). Keeping social media accounts relevant to promote resources at the library is what the team at Cincinnati Public Library strives to do (K. Mulcahy, personal communication, September 8, 2023). Kent had a lot of really interesting information to share about the relevancy of libraries and the ways librarians work to keep them relevant. It was clear he really enjoyed assisting in research about Cincinnati’s history, mentioning that he and the other reference librarians will often travel to other branches (the reference/genealogical department is located at the main library branch) in order to assist patrons with research (K. Mulcahy, personal communication, September 8, 2023).

References Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library (2023). Genealogy and Cincinnati local history . https://chpl.org/genealogy-history/ Cincy Library [@cincylibrary]. (2021-2023) Stories [Instagram profile]. Instagram. Retrieved September 11, 2023, from https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17861054581295166/?r=1

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version