Strength in Reserve (and Periodicals too): Teach someone to fish...

As the old proverb goes, "Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime." At the reserve desk, having patrons use the self-service reserve computers to look up their own call numbers is the equivalent of teaching someone to fish.

This not only helps cut down on lines so we can get them on their way quickly and efficiently; but more importantly. it helps the library users know how to use the reserve catalog, an important academic tool.

Goal = A system where self-service lookup of reserve call numbers is the norm.

Please consistently follow these guidelines:

1) Direct all patrons to look up what they need and write down a call number, regardless of whether there is a line.
(Note: remember that when lines form, another good strategy is to call for backup - another student or staff)

2) As always, use excellent customer service. Avoid communicating in a way that sounds like you are ordering the patron to do something. Point out the reserve terminals as a resource, and offer to show people how to search if needed.

3) There are always exceptions - someone is frazzled, in a real hurry, or has their arms full - when it makes good customer service sense to look up the item for the patron. Even in these cases, still point out the resource of the reserve terminals for their future use.