Reference Services, Chapter 4

Chapter 4 – Interview Techniques

At last! The patron has found the place to ask, has not been scared off, has approached the desk and asked a question. But what does the patron really want to know?

Most patrons will start by asking a general question rather than for the specific information needed. The reference interview is a dialogue between the librarian and patron that guides the patron through the process of asking and insures that the librarian understands what the true question is.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Pay attention to the patron. Be a good listener. Focus your attention on the patron you are helping. Look at the patron while he or she is talking.

Provide feedback to the patron. Simple statements such as “I see,” or “I understand,” nodding your head or making eye contact show you are paying attention and thinking about the question.

Let the patron finish. Don’t risk interrupting the patron’s train of thought. Let the patron complete the entire question, then restate the question back to the patron to be sure you understand accurately what he or she is asking.

FIVE QUESTIONS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW HOW TO ANSWER

1. Where are the restrooms?

2. Where do I check out books (renew books, pay fines)? This question is asked frequently in libraries that have a reference desk separate from the circulation desk. But even in our library, people are sometimes confused about which side of the desk is for checkout, where to return books, etc.

3. How do I print (email, save, or photocopy) my stuff? You may help the patron find the best information source in the world, but if they can’t print, photocopy or save the information they will be dissatisfied.

4. Do you have a stapler (tape, paper clip, pencil)? Providing basic office supplies makes a huge difference in patron satisfaction and willingness to return. We should provide a reasonable amount of basic supplies in a place where patrons can use them.

5. Where are the magazines (newspapers, books on [fill in a subject])? Most often the patron doesn’t want to know where we keep things, but is looking for some specific information. This is the ideal question to lead into a reference interview. A good response to this type of question is,“Do you want a specific title or are you looking for information on a topic?” Then, if they want a specific title you can help them find it. If they are looking for information on a topic, you begin a more in-depth questioning.

THE PATRON APPROACHES . . .

The listening process also involves nonverbal communication. Specific aspects of nonverbal communication that can aid the reference librarian are:

Patron profile – Every library serves a certain defined community. The reference librarian should learn the needs and question patterns of the community as a whole. Then look at the patron you are serving and estimate how that person fits into the user community. Nonverbal clues such as age, gender and dress can help you estimate what kind of service will be required by that patron.

Patron time – Nonverbal communication is a good indicator of how much time a patron is willing to spend on a reference transaction.

Patron materials – Notice what materials the patron is carrying when approaching the reference desk. A patron may have notes or may already have found some information on the topic. A student may have an assignment or instruction sheet.

THE INTERVIEW

Although listening skills and nonverbal skills are important, verbal communication skills are the most important part of the reference process. We learn the most about the inquiry by questioning the patron. Some patrons find asking for help difficult or embarrassing. The librarian should not only help the patron pinpoint his or her information needs, but make the patron feel comfortable about asking. Questions can be used to gather more information from the patron, to verify the subject, and to suggest potential search strategies.

Open-ended questions do not elicit a predetermined response. They are intended to gather more information and allow the patron to expand upon the research needed. Open-ended questions should be used early in the reference interview when the patron is trying to explain the information need. Examples:

Can you tell me more about that?

Where have you looked so far?

What kind of material do you expect to find on this topic?

How much would you like to find on your topic?

Closed-ended questions elicit a specific answer, often a yes or no response. They are used near the end of the interview, to verify specific features of the patron’s question. Examples:

Have you looked in the library catalog?

Do you want books or articles?

Do you want current or historical information?

While working with a patron, be careful to use only neutral questions. Do not criticize, accidentally insult, or imply anything negative about the patron. “Why” questions may cause the patron to feel he has to justify his information need and generally should be avoided. For example, ask

“How do you plan to use that information?” rather than “Why do you need that?” or “What do you need that for?”

"What about that source helped you?” rather than “Why did you look there?”

At the end of the reference interview, always try to restate the patron’s question and then ask “is that what you want?”

CLOSING THE INTERVIEW

The librarian must make it clear to the patron when the reference interview is over.

Tell the patron that you have finished, start him with a logical source and tell him to return to the reference desk if that source does not answer the question.

When the reference desk gets busy, the librarian must balance the needs of the individual with the needs of the group. If you are working on a long and involved reference question and other patrons are waiting, tell the first patron that her question will take some time. Give her something to start with, and tell her that you will return after you have helped some of the others.

PROBLEM PATRONS

Some patrons do not have a real reference question and just want to hang out and talk. We must make it clear to these patrons that we are here to help with questions, not to solve their personal problems. These patrons may begin with a reference question then demand that we listen to their other issues. This is the only time that a librarian should consciously be short with a patron.