An often overlooked field in the policy pages is “Assignments”: this is where librarians can provide tips or links to popular or recurring assignments.
For example, Highline Community College in Seattle has provided these tips under Assignments:
Current English assignment questions. You can copy and paste these to respond, as needed:
· Famous librarians: you can use a search engine for this, like Google, Yahoo or Bing. I suggest searching on the phrase “most famous librarian”.
· For Individual Quiet Study: The whole fourth floor is designated as a quiet study area.
· For Study Rooms: Study rooms [Note which floor has these rooms.]
· Opposing Sources: we have two databases that feature controversial issues, please see our Search Databases page. Look at the list of most-used databases in the middle of the page. You can use Opposing Viewpoints and CQ Researcher, in that order.
· If you are having trouble finding something or using computers where should you go to ask for help? Reference
· If an instructor has something on hold for students to view or use, where should students go within the library to get it? Here's a hint: Course Reserves.
Bryant & Stratton’s online campus has this information in their Assignments field:
Recurring assignments ("I need information on my career...") have institutional scripts you may use to answer them.
Here is info on the Career Assignment:
In addition to information in the Occupational Outlook handbook (http://www.bls.gov/oco/) and the Career Guide to Industries (http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/home.htm), useful career information can be found in the Bryant & Stratton Virtual Library. After logging onto the Virtual Library, and select the menu item 'Career Planning'--the item 'Helpful Tools' contains links to useful web resources. The menu item ‘Program resources’ also contains useful material. The menu item ‘Research Databases' contains a link to the EbscoHost database 'Vocational & Career Information.' Another good source is the document "Career Resources Guide" available at http://vl.bryantstratton.edu/Portals/0/al_Careerwebsites_2010[1].pdf or on the Albany Campus VL page. State career information can be found at careeronestop at http://acinet.org Select "Occupation Information" then select "Occupation Profile" Locate your career & select your state. Also, try O*NET Online at http://online.onetcenter.org/
When students seem to be asking the same questions over and over, it may be based on an assignment – so head right over to the Assignments section of the policy page, and see what the Patron library suggests. And, if your students have recurring assignments, do provide tips for the chatting librarians, to help them better respond and provide more effective assistance.
Questions about Quality? Email me at mcglames@oclc.org or post a comment to this blog.
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