1. A Cooperative Reference Staffing Effort by Academic Librarians in a Shared Dormitory
Research Services Outpost

2. Introduction
Molly Beestrum, Columbia College
Brian DeHart, DePaul University
Katy Hite, Roosevelt University
Chicago loop universities collaborating to offer reference services in a collective dormitory
3. The UCC
4. Genesis of Off-Site Reference
Off-site reference initiated at all campuses with varied successes
Columbia College: Ask-a-Librarian Roadshow
DePaul University: Writing Center Outpost
Roosevelt University: Reference in Student Lounge
5. Collaboration
Dorm management not initially receptive upon openingin 2004.
In 2010, UCC initiated conversation with Columbia Library.
Perfect storm of conversations between librarians at three campuses.
6. Collaboration
Proposal
Drafted Summer 2010
Submitted/Accepted August 2010
Cross training (Summer 2010)
Shared resources
Unique/popular resources in each library
Authentication for each population
7. Collaboration
Site to share duties & information
https://sites.google.com/site/researchinformationoutpost/
Used to compose proposal, collaborate & share links
8. The UCC: Location, location, location!
Original intent:Dining commons during high traffic dinner hours (6-8pm)
In Practice: Unused office
9. The UCC: Location, location, location!
Former RA Resource Center (crafts,etc.)
Located in high traffic hallway near:
Laundry room
Computer Lab
Fitness Center
Multimedia/gaming room
Not walk-in friendly
Spring 2011: Partially Reclaimed by RAs
10. The UCC: Location, location, location!
11. The UCC: Advertisement & Promotion
UCC
Electronic Signboards
Posters in hallways/staircases
Easel stand outside office
House Calls/Word of mouth
In-Library promotion
Blog Posts & Tweets
12. UCC Advertisement & Promotion
13. The UCC: Advertisement & Promotion
14. The UCC in Action
Question Tracking
Student population
Nature of questions
15. The UCC in Action
16. Conclusions
Dorm life separate from academic life, despite efforts from Residence Life
Mirrors individual campus efforts in terms of challenges, disconnected from students expectations
Time investment not worth payoff (about 180 hours of reference librarian presence for only 9 interactions).
17. Alternatives?
Reaching out virtually within LMS to reach students.
Partnerships with other academic departments (writing center, academic computing) may be better avenue to explore.
What else can we do at the UCC?
Participate in academic-focused activities
Continue to market library services (online and physical) through print and social media
18. Literature Review
Reference Outposts (on- and off-campus)
Roaming reference
See electronic handout
19. Questions?
Contact
Katy Hite khite@roosevelt.edu
Brian DeHartbdehart@depaul.edu
Molly Beestrummbeestrum@colum.edu