Librarian by Appointment Service

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

The Gloucester County Library System (NJ) offers Librarian by Appointment service, allowing a library user to schedule a session of up to one hour with a certified professional librarian who has knowledge and experience in the patron’s field of interest. The librarian provides individual instruction. The most common requests are for assistance with computer skills, use of electronic devices like tablets and e-readers, and assistance with a job search. Librarian by Appointment is an alternative to holding group classes. Prior experience revealed that library patrons who attended a class had varying degrees of satisfaction and success, depending on their computer skills (or lack of computer skills), and comfort level with the subject matter. The Librarian by Appointment service was devised as a way to help individuals receive instruction in a non-threatening, one-on-one environment, eliminating the discomfort of being unable to keep up with others when learning a new skill. The library patron receives personalized assistance with their information needs, and/or instruction on how to use library resources independently, with the goal of increasing their confidence and knowledge of library services. The service has grown steadily, from 27 sessions in 2011 to 123 sessions in 2015.