 | | 1. | Reference in Public Libraries | | | | | | In 85% of public libraries, non MLS paraprofessionals answer some or all reference questions asked by the public. Of those paraprofessionals, only 11% report they are able to specialize in reference. The rest report they have other duties not related to reference work. If you are interested in learning more, and you want to work on creating strategies and resources to improve reference quality in public libraries, read on! The second survey covers the nature of questions paraprofessionals answer; what types of training they receive; how much support they have from their library in terms of training, resources, and coworker collaboration; and if that support is sufficient for them to be successful. It's still raw data. We need help analyzing that data and turning it into useable resources. That's where you come in. Will you join us? User Services in Public Libraries is part of the Reference Services Section of RUSA. Our charge is to study, promote, and support the role of reference and user services in public libraries. We meet on Zoom once a month and work on projects between meetings. Committee members must be a RUSA member in good standing. Mary Buelow, Public Services Librarian Hedberg Public Library 316 S Main St Janesville, WI 53545 (608) 758-5808 2022 – 2024 User Services in Public Libraries Committee Chair
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Mary Buelow
Public Services Librarian
Hedberg Public Librarian
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| 2. | ALA Games & Gaming Table is now on YouTube! | | | | | | Cross-posting on ALA Members and GameRT. If you are not a GameRT member and are curious about who we are and what we do, find out more about GameRT! Hello everyone! We've crossed off a big thing on our wish list! GameRT now has a YouTube channel! We are currently working on uploading our past webinars and livestream events. There are currently 49 videos on the channel with more to be uploaded. For future events, we will also do simultaneous livestreams on Twitch and YouTube whenever possible. We will continue livestreaming on Twitch because the platform is well within our niche for games programming, but we wanted to add YouTube because we recognize that some institutions block Twitch on work computers. This new viewing option makes our programming even more accessible to the community! Please stop by the new channel and subscribe! This will help us verify the channel and get access to more channel features. What can you find on the GameRT YouTube channel? All the great series you've come to expect from GameRT! - Gaming in Libraries Webinars series featuring presentations on a variety of topics related to gaming programs and collections in libraries
- Learn & Play, Librarians Attempt Games, and Low Stress High Mayhem, where library workers live play board games, video games, and tabletop role-playing games (respectively) while discussing how the games work in library settings
- Round Table Round Table, a panel series where we gather subject matter experts to chat on various topics relevant to gaming in libraries
- Spectaculars, special one day events where we gather several ALA round tables to explore popular media in different themes (Spooky, Super, and Queer so far!)
- Mini Cons, one day miniature conferences that feature a series of short presentations on topics relevant to gaming in libraries (TTRPGs in 2023 and Building Character in 2024)
Find out more about GameRT professional development programming on the GameRT website.
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Rebecca Strang (she/they)
Children's Services Librarian
Naperville Public Library
Past President, Games & Gaming Round Table (GameRT)
Chair, GameRT Strategic Planning Committee
Member, GameRT Program Planning Committee
Member, GameRT Game On! Grant Committee
www.ToPlayIsHuman.com
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| 3. | Reading on the desk? | | | | | | You are invited to participate in a brief online survey for research conducted by Dr. Amelia Anderson, an assistant professor at the University of South Florida. The purpose of this survey is to better understand expectations and policies related to reading while librarians are in a public facing role, such as staffing an information, circulation, or reference desk. Your responses to this survey will help us to better understand standards, and justifications for those standards, for librarians and library staff regarding reading while they're facing the public. All individuals 18 years or older currently employed in a library of any type in the United States are eligible to participate. There are no immediate benefits for participants, and no compensation. This survey is brief and will take no more than 20 minutes of your time to complete. This is an entirely online survey. Your participation in this survey is completely voluntary, and your responses will be anonymous. No identifying information will be collected. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Anderson at ameliaanderson@usf.edu regarding USF IRB#STUDY006800. Please click the link below, or copy and paste the web address into your web browser, to access the survey: usf.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cUO19gRTe0c41QG Thank you!
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Amelia Anderson
Assistant Professor
University of South Florida
She/Her/Hers
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