By Sue LeiboldLibrary DirectorClarke College

Dubuque, Iowa

Small catholic liberal arts school in midwest

1200 full-time students

Also offer MBA, MSN, and PhD. in Physical Therapy

Small library staff

Participated in READ Scale Study in 2007

Previous Reference Librarian had participated in the READ Scale Study

New Librarian continued with The READ Scale in August of 2007 to see what could be learned from tracking reference interactions using READ Scale

Would evaluate scales usefulness in a year

Staff resistance and following through on keeping stats.

In my case, Administration looking to new librarian to be more active in student learning and information literacy and produce measureable results- READ Scale one tool that could be used to help show this active participation by library

Is it an effective measuring tool for our institution?

Develop a common “READ Scale” language among READ Scale users

Build confidence using the scale

Discuss scenarios and how to rate reference transactions

Train work-study students to know when to turn over question

Clearer picture of quality/quantity of help provided

READ could provide a better understanding of types of tutorials and other training we could offer to students

Provide a clearer picture to administration the value of library and library staff

Way to gather statistics that could help us build better library programs/information sessions

Better way to track problem areas students had with assignments/topics

Help us better define what is: effort / knowledge / skill / teaching

Become better librarians by finding more effective ways to handle questions

Read 1 702Read 2 20Read 3 38Read 4 38Read 5 0Read 6 0Total 798

•Short staffed•Most “#1” logged by student workers.

Read 1 540Read 2 65Read 3 103Read 4 4Read 5 0Read 6 0Total 712

Ranks 2 and 3 that required significant time and effort on the part of the staff member.

Spring 2008

Work in progress and will continue to evaluate and modify as needed

Thanks!