Prior to taking this course I had never heard of the research interview. In my own experience when I have sought out of the librarian I have just been told that "what you are looking for is in call number..." I can't recall a time that a librarian has taken me throught the research interview.
I can see the value in being able to use the research interview with students. Most students come to the library knowing that they need to find information, but have no idea how to find the information that they require or they may not fully understand the question that they are trying to answer. The school library media specialist plays an important role in ensuring that the student is sucessful in finding what they need. I can see the reference interview as being a skill that takes time to evolve. First as the text points our "the school library media specialist must have exceptional knowledge of the library media center's collection" (Rieding pg. 92).
This can take time for a library media specialist to get to know the collection in both print and electronic formats. As with good wine it takes time to age and the research interview must take perfect as a librarian becomes comfortable in the process. I just hope one day to actually work in a library so I can try out the research process
Sources
Rielding, A. (2005). Reference skills for the school library media specialist: Tools and tips, 2nd ed. Worthington, Ohio: Linworth Publishing, Inc.
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