Research Question Inquiry (Week 2 Assignment)

Create a research question that you can ask for this week’s assignment. A research question is an open ended question. You can use the same question for both parts of the assignment below. Select a specific topic related to American History between 1865-1945. Most libraries of every type have adequate history resources.

Part 1: Visit a library in person. It can be a public library, a school library, or an academic library. Ask your research question and participate as a student in the reference interview, making mental notes as you participate. Copy and paste the questions below in a document and discuss your answers thoroughly.  

• What was your research question?

How did World War II effect life on the United States Home Front?

• What type of library did you visit?

I visited a small school library in a rural, 1A school district where the library serves grades K-12.

• What are the name and location of the library?

The library is the school library for Union Hill ISD located at

Union Hill Independent School District

2197 FM 2088, Gilmer, TX 75644

• What was the reference question that you posed?

Does your library have materials that contain information about the United States home front during World War II?

• What was the setting? This is not a short answer question. Describe the setting.

The library at Union Hill ISD is a relatively small room with the circulation desk in the middle and bookshelves lining the walls. In my opinion, the room itself did not appear to be any larger than a traditional classroom. There was not any formal office space for the librarian and much of her “desk space” was at part of the circulation desk. The setting of the library when I visited was different than it normally is due to the fact that the library was hosting a book fair. During the two hours that I spent talking with the librarian at the circulation desk, students periodically came in to browse the selections at the book fair. Two different classes of students also came to check out materials during the time that I was at the library. While the librarian had stated that she enjoyed having the book fair, she was ready to have it be finished because it took up so much of the space that she normally used to conduct her daily activities with the students. In addition to serving as the district librarian, she also serves as the district ESL and Dyslexia coordinator. She teaches ESL and Dyslexia classes as part of her daily schedule and she said that trying to conduct those classes, as well as having space for the book fair had been challenging due to the limited open space in the library building.

• Was the librarian approachable? This is not a short answer question. Explain why the librarian was approachable or not based on this week's readings.

I would say that the librarian was very friendly and approachable. She greeted the students as they came into the library and addressed many of them by name. Her demeanor in response to questions posed by both the students and myself was calm and positive. When one student inquired about suggestions of books that she might enjoy reading, the librarian was extremely patient when questioning the student about her favorite topics to help determine possible selections. Throughout our interview, the librarian attentively listened to my questions and did her best to provide answers. During the time that I was visiting the library, another student wanted to check out materials, but the librarian had to inform him that he could not until he brought back some of the books that he had already checked out. He stated that he could not find one of the books and she calmly addressed the student in a pleasant tone as they discussed a solution to his problem. Even when discussing issues of overdue items, the librarian maintained a friendly demeanor. The librarian was also very helpful and approachable in her interaction with a teacher. While I was present, a teacher came into the library and asked the librarian if she might be able to bring her students into the library at her scheduled lunch time because it was the most convenient time for her during the day. The librarian was very accommodating for the teacher and pleasantly informed her that she would be glad to have her class come during that time and that she could have some materials that the students might need pulled in advance. 

• Did you get the information you needed? This is not a short answer question. Discuss why you did or did not receive the information you needed.

Although some of the materials that I found within the library were not as updated as I would have liked, I believe that I was able to get the information that I needed to begin researching my topic/research question. During my reference interview, the librarian was able to find several books that contained information on World War II. While some books were more specific than others in content, I did find some resources that I felt would be beneficial in helping me to answer my research question. The following titles are some of the resources that I found at the Union Hill ISD library: Rosie the Riveter: Women Working on the Home Front in World War II by Penny Coleman, World War II Resistance Stories by Arthur and Emily Prager, In Their Own Words: World War II, A Primary Source History by Colin Hynson, World War II by John Perritano, and The Usborne Introduction to the Second World War by Paul Dowswell. The last two titles also contained additional CD or Internet resources.

One of the things that I wish that I would have been able to find at the library was access to more online resources or databases. I inquired about this with the librarian and was informed that the school did not really have access to certain databases and the library did not have stations available for students to gain internet access. While the school does have a computer lab, it is not connected to the library and students are only able to use the computers as part of a class.

• Did the librarian walk you through the whole process or leave you to find the information on your own? This is not a short answer question. Discuss thoroughly.

Throughout my research interview and inquiry, the librarian assisted me in finding and locating the available materials. One difference that I noticed from other school libraries that I have been to was that there were no stations for students to be able to access the library catalog and look up materials. When I inquired about this, the librarian informed me that this was something that had been established by the previous librarian. Due to the fact that students do not have access to the catalog, they simply inquire about the materials that they need by talking to the librarian and she searches the catalog to locate the desired books. This is how the librarian I spoke with has handled materials request this year because this is her first year at the school, as well as in a library position. She did say that she hopes to be able to change the current system next year so that students will be able to access the library catalog on their own if they choose to do so. As I inquired about different resources related to World War II and the United States home front, the librarian searched the catalog, located the materials and presented them to me to review.

• Did the reference librarian have knowledge of the collection? Explain why you believe the reference librarian did or did not have knowledge of the collection.

While the librarian that I spoke with was not a “reference librarian”, she is the only school librarian and is the source of all the school’s reference material. She freely admitted to me that she was not as knowledgeable of the reference materials or the collection in general as she would like to be due to time constraints. This is her first year as a librarian and she was only hired for the job a week before school started. She stated that she has had to “learn as she goes” and is still in the process of discovering all of the items in the school’s collection. I felt as though, considering the circumstances, she seemed to have a fairly good knowledge of available materials.

• Did he/she have effective communication skills? Evaluate the librarian's communication skills based on this week's readings.

In my opinion, I believe that the librarian that I spoke with has very effective communication skills. She has been a classroom teacher for a number of years and has developed a demeanor when interacting with both the students and teachers. During my visit, I witness her ability to effectively communicate with students and staff. When the student came into the library, many of them were coming to purchase items from the book fair, but were unsure of what they wanted. The librarian always addressed the students in a pleasant tone, while patiently and attentively listening to their questions. Through some inquisitive questioning as to the students’ likes and dislikes, budgets, etc., she was able to assist them in finding materials that each student enjoyed. Many of the younger students who wanted to purchase materials had a difficult time figuring out if they would have enough money to buy certain items. The librarian carefully and adequately explained to each of them, how to figure the cost of the materials and helped them to determine if they possessed the proper funds. Throughout my visit, the librarian maintained an effective line of communication with me in the midst of stopping to assist students and faculty. She would always inquire as to whether I had found what I needed and offer additional help if necessary. When dealing with the teachers that visited the library while I was there, she maintained a professional demeanor and addressed their issues in a supportive manner.  

• Did the reference librarian implement the RUSA guidelines for reference behavior? Tell how he/she implemented each guideline.

I feel as though the librarian that I spoke with did implement the RUSA guidelines for reference behavior during our interview.

Visibility/ Approachability: The librarian maintained a visible presence in the library during our discussion, as she frequently moved around the space as she would stop to assist different students or faculty that came in. Throughout my time there, during every interaction that I witnessed between the librarian and a patron (including myself), she maintained a sense of approachability often by greeting individuals with a smile and inquiring how she might be of assistance.

Interest: During every interaction that I witnessed during my visit, the librarian seemed to exhibit a genuine interest in the needs of the patrons she was assisting. The fact that she took time to help indecisive students to locate materials of interest to them illustrated to me, that she was interested in addressing the students’ needs. She would also, often inquire about a student’s day or ask questions about important events that she knew the students were involved in at school.

Listening/ Inquiring: The librarian would listen intently to the questions that were asked of her and often pose her own questions to the patrons to help clarify the issue at hand. During one interaction with a student who had just completed a book and was looking to find a new series that she might be interested in, the librarian inquired about the students possible interests and attentively listened. Through a series of further questions and suggestions, the librarian was able to help the student discover a new series to try.

Searching: When searching for materials, the librarian assisted all of the patrons by first accessing the library’s catalog and then helping the patron to locate the materials in the library. While she was met with a few challenges in locating certain items, due to the somewhat scattered organization that had resulted from last year’s arrangement of the materials, as well as the hosting of the book fair, she always attempted to assist patrons in locating what they needed.

Follow-up: I noticed that the librarian did a good job of following up with patrons who were searching for materials. Even in the midst of the varied activity that occurred during my time at the library, she always made an effort to check to make certain that I had found or was in the process of located the materials that I needed. There were a few times that students were searching for books on the shelves and after extensive effort, were still unable to locate the items. The librarian always made an extra attempt to search for the desired item and if unable to locate it, she informed the students that she would let them know when she was able to find what they were looking for.

Part 2: Go to the TAMUC Libraries website. Click on the “Need Help?” button. Contact a librarian via either chat or text. Ask the same research question you asked in your in-person library visit. In the same document you started with your in-person library visit evaluation, create a new section and address the same questions from the in-person visit.

• What was your research question?

How did World War II effect life on the United States Home Front?

• What type of library did you visit?

I contacted a TAMUC librarian via both text and email because the chat feature showed to be offline.

• What are the name and location of the library?

I received a response from Scott Lancaster from the James G. Gee Library via both email and text message.

• What was the reference question that you posed?

Does your library have materials that contain information about the United States home front during World War II? If so, can you assist me in locating these materials?

• What was the setting? This is not a short answer question. Describe the setting.

Due to the fact that this version of a reference interview was conducted via electronic media and not in person, I really can not describe the setting. I know that sent the information to contact the librarian via email and text from my computer and phone while working to complete my other assignments for this week.

• Was the librarian approachable? This is not a short answer question. Explain why the librarian was approachable or not based on this week's readings.

I can only attempt to determine the librarian’s approachability based on the text responses that I received. Unlike the more traditional “face to face” reference interview, online correspondence does not allow you to observe the physical and verbal cues that help to indicate an individual’s approachability. Based on the information that I received from the librarian, the manner in which he addressed my questions made it seem as though he was approachable. His responses contained a pleasant greeting, as well as helpful explanations on how to locate the materials that I had inquired about.

• Did you get the information you needed? This is not a short answer question. Discuss why you did or did not receive the information you needed.

I feel as though the librarian provided me with helpful resources and information to get me started on answering the research question. He stated that he searched the library catalog using the term “homefront” and found 23 results. One of those results was an electronic book entitled Americans at War: Society, Culture, and the Homefront. He felt as though this book might be the most beneficial in beginning my research and for additional book resources, he suggested that I search in the library’s catalog under World War II. One idea that he mentioned that I really appreciated was the idea that I could search the catalog in different ways for books about the war and depending upon how I entered World War II (World War Two, 2^nd World War, etc. ), I might get different results. This is not something that I would have generally thought about and I appreciated the idea. In addition to providing this information, he also suggested that I might search in the Academic Search Complete database using the terms “homefront”  and “World War Two” for additional resources.

• Did the librarian walk you through the whole process or leave you to find the information on your own? This is not a short answer question. Discuss thoroughly.

I would say that the librarian walked me through the process of searching for materials as well as he possibly could when corresponding through email and text message. He informed me of different ways that he had attempted to search for information and the results that he had discovered. His explanations about how to search for materials were easy to understand and simple enough for me to follow. He even suggested different ways for me to enter my search terms about World War II that would provide me with different results depending upon which terms I entered into the database and catalog.

• Did the reference librarian have knowledge of the collection? Explain why you believe the reference librarian did or did not have knowledge of the collection.

Based upon our correspondence, I would say that I believe that the librarian had a good knowledge of the collection. He offered advice on different methods that I could use to search for the information that I needed. His responses clearly indicated that he had attempted different searches using various methods and he informed me of the results that I should expect to receive when I conducted similar searches for information.

• Did he/she have effective communication skills? Evaluate the librarian's communication skills based on this week's readings.

While I could not assess the librarian’s communication skills in person, based on the writings in our correspondence, I feel as though he had effective communication skills. He addressed my email and text message with a polite greeting and took the time to explain the steps that I could take to begin searching for materials to assist me in answering my research question. His response to my inquiry was in a timely manner and he included details of his attempts to search for the information, as well as suggestions on how I might alter the search terms that I entered into the catalog and database in order to receive different results if I did not find what I needed on my initial search.

• Did the reference librarian implement the RUSA guidelines for reference behavior? Tell how he/she implemented each guideline.

 I would say that based on my correspondence via email and text, I feel as though the librarian did implement many of the RUSA guidelines for reference behavior.

Visibility/ Approachability: Information to contact a librarian is easily visible and accessible on the library’s website.

Although I can not assess the point of visibility and approachability from the same point of view as evaluating an interaction with someone in person, I would say that I think that the librarian seemed approachable based on his friendly and helpful correspondence.

Interest: I feel as though the librarian seemed to take interest in assisting me to find the materials that I could use to answer my research question. He took the time to explain the resources that were available and how I could use each one to locate the information that I was seeking, as well as the results that I might expect to find.

Listening/ Inquiring: While I can not say that the librarian “listened” to my question in the traditional sense, he did look at my question through our correspondence. Although there was not a great deal of inquiring that took place, he did mention suggestions that would help me to narrow down my search results if I needed to find more specific information than what appeared after my initial attempts.

Searching: The librarian did a great job of assisting me in the search process. He first offered detailed explanations of what he had done to locate some materials that he thought might be beneficial, as well as informing me of the results of his search. In addition, he also offered suggestions on how I might be able to vary my search terms in order to produce different results if I did not find what I needed during my first attempts.

Follow-up: At the end of our correspondence, the librarian indicated that if the information provided did not help me to locate the materials that I needed or if I had any further questions, to please feel free to let him know.