TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the planning, implementation and assessment of a personal librarian (PL) program for transfer students at a four-year private university. It highlights best practices to ensure the success of such a program, emphasizes the importance of collaboration with other campus units and explores the possible applications for other underserved student populations.Design/methodology/approach This paper explains why the PL model is particularly appropriate to serve the needs of transfer students. It clearly describes the assessment methods to evaluate such a program and proposes best practices to ensure success and sustainability.Findings Transfer students respond very positively to a PL program as shown by the number of interactions they have with their PLs and their responses to a survey. Librarians also appreciate the chance to develop meaningful relationships with students despite the addition to their workload.Practical implications Institutions looking at ways to reach out to transfer students or other underserved populations can easily adapt the PL program described here.Originality/value The PL concept is not new but, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first time it has been applied to transfer students. The program described here is also unique because of its “boutique” approach, which emphasizes customization and personalization.
VL  - 45
IS  - 2
SN  - 0090-7324
DO  - 10.1108/RSR-10-2016-0066
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/RSR-10-2016-0066
AU  - Lafrance Helene
AU  - Kealey Shannon B.
PY  - 2017
Y1  - 2017/01/01
TI  - A boutique personal librarian program for transfer students
T2  - Reference Services Review
PB  - Emerald Publishing Limited
SP  - 332
EP  - 345
Y2  - 2024/05/12
ER  -