Delivering and Assessing Music Reference Services

Dougan, Kirstin

doi:10.1080/02763877.2013.734759

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…"Eroica" Symphony), and the resulting need for uniform titles in catalog records, and the frequent need to find a smaller item in a larger context, such as one song in an anthology, CD, or collected works edition, make finding music scores and recordings a tricky subject to navigate for the average patron. This is why even a "known item" music search can be quite involved and why many music reference interactions involve a high level of instruction (Dougan, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Information seeking behaviors of music students

Dougan

2012

Reference Services Review

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Purpose -This paper seeks to explore how and via what tools music students are identifying, locating, and accessing music materials -specifically scores and recordings -for use in their music studies. It also aims to examine similarities and differences in the information seeking behavior of students in various music sub-disciplines and students at different points in their academic tenure. Design/methodology/approach -The study employed survey and focus groups methodologies. Findings -It was found that students use myriad library and non-library tools to discover and access scores and recordings. It identified the frequency and specificity with which students seek scores and recordings. There are more similarities between performers and music educators than musicologists or other areas, and graduate and upperclass students have different behaviors than underclass students, who are more likely to use library resources. This study also identified some of the reasons students become frustrated in searching for music materials and from where they seek help.Research limitations/implications -The response rate to this survey was only 11 percent and surveys are not the best indicator of actual behavior. While the use of focus groups did offset this to a degree, a more widespread survey and user studies would be merited to understand any wider patters of music student behaviors. Practical implications -With the findings from this study libraries serving music students can tailor their instruction and marketing efforts. They can also focus their collections and resources appropriately for the various types of patrons served by their library. Originality/value -Little previous research has been done on the general information seeking behaviors of music students. Other work has focused on music faculty, specific sub-disciplines in music, or on issues specific to finding music in library catalogs.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Information seeking behaviors of music students

Dougan

2012

Reference Services Review

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“…To address changing patron needs and expectations, Dougan outlined various assessment tools available to music libraries including the READ scale and the Wisconsin Ohio Reference Evaluation Project (WOREP). 28 Newcomer and Hursh used Durrance's "Willingness to Return" methodology and evaluated services through patron surveys and an analysis of reference activity statistics in a music library. 29 They found that the existence of a dedicated reference desk did not increase the likelihood of patrons seeking expert assistance elsewhere when the desk was unstaffed.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…MPAL previously did a study to measure service effectiveness and patron satisfaction and could re-run that study or a similar one. 35 Reference staff are now in a better position (literally) to ask if patrons found everything they were looking for when acting as circulation backup and to interject in an interaction in which a circulation staff member needs assistance. We plan to continue to review Desk Tracker statistics annually in conjunction with all other data available such as circulation data and our space usage tracking efforts to help us understand how our library is being used and how it may need to evolve to meet patron needs.…”

Section: Next Steps and Further Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changing the Venues but Not Changing Our Tune: Service Model Transition at a Music and Performing Arts Library

Lambaria¹,

Johnson²

2019

RUSQ

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The goal of this quantitative study is to explore the effect of consolidating circulation and reference functions at a single service point in a specialized setting, namely, a large academic music and performing arts library. It analyzes reference transactions before and after the merging of reference and circulation service points. Transaction trends are evaluated based on location within the library, type of question, and question complexity. The authors find that there are significant impacts on reference staff time due to consolidating desks, but the closer proximity led to an increase in activity and allows for referrals that are more successful.

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“…Chang and Yang (2012) believed that IM services can help enhance patrons' positive attitudes toward library reference services. Dougan (2013) pointed out it has never been more important to ensure that the services offered meet the needs of users by evaluating the various facets of reference, from mode of delivery, to traffic and staffing patterns, to patron satisfaction. Isaacson (2007) found that reference librarians were thought to provide an indispensable service, but the problem is that libraries have not convinced a majority of users about that fact.…”

Section: User Perception Of Reference Servicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

User perceptions of social questions and answer websites for library reference services

Deng

Zhang

2015

The Electronic Library

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Purpose – This paper aims to understand Social Questions & Answers (SQA) users’ perceptions of library reference services. Design/methodology/approach – The authors examined the postings on the largest SQA site, Yahoo! Answers, regarding library reference services and identified the major themes. Findings – Three themes emerged in library reference-related discussions: reference librarians and their services are well and positively recognized, reference services are less recognized and understood and Yahoo! Answers is recognized as a helpful service. Those who have used both library reference services and Yahoo! Answers are fully aware of the differences between the two services. Originality/value – This study provides new insights on how library reference services are perceived by SQA users. The results are helpful for libraries to position reference services to better serve users in today’s information environment.

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Delivering and Assessing Music Reference Services

Cited by 6 publications

References 18 publications

Information seeking behaviors of music students

Information seeking behaviors of music students

Changing the Venues but Not Changing Our Tune: Service Model Transition at a Music and Performing Arts Library

User perceptions of social questions and answer websites for library reference services

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