The velocity of verbiage: speed as an element in serving academic library students

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to comment on the enhanced expectation by academic library students who require increased speed of reference and research support, where limited time and increasing distractions are a constant concern.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review and commentary on this topic that has been addressed by professionals, researchers and practitioners.

Findings

The speed of access and delivery of information stand as dual support pillars in today’s academic on-ground and digitally driven library setting. The librarian must surely be cognizant of many a customer’s expectation that “instant gratification takes too long”.

Originality/value

The value in addressing this issue is to suggest that, while there is an expectation that students will always receive a successful outcome in their reference or research interaction with an academic librarian, students must likewise recognize that quality must not be sacrificed in favor of speed.

Citation

Massis, B. (2015), "The velocity of verbiage: speed as an element in serving academic library students", New Library World, Vol. 116 No. 5/6, pp. 336-339. https://doi.org/10.1108/NLW-10-2014-0128