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Innovations and Practices
Advocacy Techniques:
With a focus on the surrounding community and an organization that values users, information organizations stand a greater chance of impacting the community in which it serves. This has a great impact on how libraries can reach users. Libraries can become greater advocates through the use of technology. In the 21st century instant accessibility is something most expect, and need. There are many examples of web 2.0 services, such as instant messaging which provides patrons with remote access to reference services. There are also tools like flash programming, streaming audio, and streaming videos. Most libraries also have social media tagged on their web pages. This has had a huge impact on libraries. Blogs and tagging really make it easier to access more information, and it really reflects the surrounding communities. Utilizing these types of techniques allows for greater patron use, which will in turn end in greater public support.
There is also the idea of customer service as advocacy. Sometimes the interaction between patron and librarian will effect if that patron will come back. This also strengthens the image of the library in the users mind. “As a consumer-focused service provider, libraries must go beyond customer service to deliver enhanced customer experiences and create superior customer value whether it is face-to-face, online, or via a hybrid model” (Weinstein & McFarlane, 2017, n.p.)”. Having customer service abilities shows understanding of how an information professional can be an advocate for a specific information entity.
Rapport as a Learning Tool:
One major concept that I try to always practice when teaching a class or working with students one to one, I always try to keep a friendly rapport. This has made a major difference with student’s attitudes about having to complete certain tasks. There is also a willingness to try new techniques with no complaints. I’ve noticed students have a more positive attitude towards curriculum, more motivation, and even higher scores. The way I build rapport with students involves having an “open” demeanor. This means smiling, laughing, and using humor to relate to students and their experiences, even going as far as using personal examples. I try to be active in class as well, like moving around the library during database instruction and promoting class discussions and time for question and answer sessions.
One thing I am constantly being told by students is that I’m “cool”. They feel comfortable coming to me for help with their assignments, however they also feel as though they can confide in me what is going on with their personal lives. This relationship with students has flourished to the point that most of the students I interact with consider the library their “safe space”. The student/librarian relationship has been cultivated on many levels. They know I can assist them in most assignments, they understand my policy of privacy and no spreading of personal information, and they also come to the library to hang out and use the building as a community space for collaboration.
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