Baker-Berry Information & Research Desks: Goals

It is our goal to make each Library visitor feel welcomed.  At the desks, we do this by remembering to:

• SMILE:  It's not necessary to smile at every person that walks by the desk, but you do want to have a friendly face and seem approachable.
• DISPLAY YOUR NAME PLATE WHILE WORKING: If you have security concerns about posting your actual name, please let your supervisor know and alternate arrangements can be made.
• STAY ALERT TO GUESTS WALKING BY: You are permitted to work on personal projects at the desks, however it should not be work that is so consuming it makes you unaware of guests approaching the desk.
• BE INTERESTED IN HELPING PATRONS. WE DO NOT WANT THEM TO FEEL AS IF THEY ARE INTERRUPTING US.

• Each question is important and it is vital that we answer each one correctly. 
• You are not expected to answer every single question, but it is important that you know the proper places to refer questions which are outside of your knowledge.
• NEVER Say: 'We don't have that' or 'That doesn't exist.' If you aren't sure or if you don't find what the patron wants, refer the question to staff and Librarians.

• After training with your supervisor, examples of things you should be able to include:
• give patrons information on Library locations and facilities;
• Look up items by subject, author or title, and interpret an item's status;
• tell if the library has an issue of a particular journal;
• explain the various 'Locations' and how to get books from other libraries;
• APPROPRIATELY REFER questions to staff and librarians as necessary.