We use an online form, and we enter questions according to how much time and/or effort we put into them, using the READ ((Reference Effort Assessment Data) scale (http://readscale.org/). Thus, directional questions are always 1, while in-depth research questions are 6. We don’t differentiate between computer and library resource questions.

Mollie

Mary P. (Mollie) Freier

Head of Public Services and Professor

Lydia M. Olson Library

Northern Michigan University

1401 Presque Isle Avenue

Marquette, MI 49855

906.227.1061

From: michlib-l-bounces@mail.mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mail.mcls.org] On Behalf Of Annette Weiss
Sent: Friday, December 13, 2013 5:20 PM
To: michlib-l@lists.mcls.org
Subject: [Michlib-l] Keeping stats on reference questions

I am doing a survey on how libraries handle reference desk statistics. Could you please tell me how your library handles them?  If you do keep them, do you differentiate between directional questions versus computer assistance versus an in depth reference question? I would really appreciate learning if there are other ways to measure this or if you think it is necessary to measure it at all. I know some may do more in depth surveys a certain number of times a year.  If you do keep stats, how often are they done?

Thank you for your time,

Annette

So let me get this straight: You want information about why reference
librarians always answer a question with another question, right?

Annette Weiss                         Phone:  (248) 553-6872
Adult Services Librarian            Fax:    (248) 553-3228
                                             E-Mail: Annette.Weiss@FarmLib.org
Farmington Community Library
32737 W. 12 Mile Rd.
Farmington Hills, MI 48334