Training
Updates
Documents
Training for Student Staff
It is our recommendation that the Troubleshooters that will be participating in IM Reference Assistance be trained in the following areas, by department:
Circulation: • Responsible for all information from Circulation Webpage (including renewals, checkout, recent returns, reserves, fines, contact info) • CLS and ILL (where, how to log in, when each applies) • My ALADIN • Contact Information • Off Campus Information on CLS, ILL, and other services
Periodicals: • Bound vs. Current • EJTF vs. SFX • Microfilms Policies/Procedures • How to read a periodical entry (including by title) • Contact Information
Reference: • How to search/find information within Databases • Familiarity with the different Interfaces • Subject vs. Keyword Searching • Using Advanced Search • Research Guides (using to help pick a database) • ALADIN’s Databases by Subject (using to help pick a database, I Statements) • Conducting a Reference Interview • Dissertation Abstracts, know what a dissertation is and where to go to get one, including what to do if it’s not available. • When to stop: Making referrals to RAA’s, Email Reference, or the Desk • How to deal with a difficult patron • Off Campus Student Support (http://www.gwu.edu/gelman/service/offcampus/)
As noted, training should focus on the following major databases for familiarity: ABI/Inform Jstor PsycInfo Lexis/Nexis Sociological Abstracts WorldCAT Academic Search Premier Proquest
Discussion
