Initiating engineering outreach reference services: background and practice
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to present a history of the initiations of an outreach or satellite reference service and analysis based on experience with the project.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology involved an online survey, e‐mail queries, and in‐person surveys.
Findings
A successful program was initiated in one site, but a second site failed to thrive. Evaluation of the second site led to the creation of criteria by which to judge future sites.
Research limitations/implications
This article contains a survey which is not statistically valid, which offers anecdotal insight into current reference outreach practice. A method of creating an outreach program is offered, along with pitfalls associated with that method.
Practical implications
This article offers a method of evaluation for physical sites external to the library that may be potential sites of reference services.
Originality/value
Builds on current practice in engineering libraries and creates a more concrete method for initiating these sites than currently exists in engineering library literature.
Keywords
Citation
Nelson, M.S. (2007), "Initiating engineering outreach reference services: background and practice", Reference Services Review, Vol. 35 No. 2, pp. 265-284. https://doi.org/10.1108/00907320710749182
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited