Here are some tips and best practices to prepare for your time at the reference desk:
Ask Questions!
Know the Resources!
Demonstrate Process!
Stay Focused!
Description of Reference Duties
Students and faculty at East Los Angeles College (ELAC) will pepper you with a variety of reference questions! You will spend a good portion of your time at ELAC's Research Help Desk teaching students to use the library's databases and catalog for research assignments, directing them to the right information resources on campus, and answering technology questions as they arise.
Our goal at the ELAC Research Help Desk is to teach students and faculty to locate and use the most appropriate library materials available for their classes and assignments. Librarians at ELAC aim to assist students and faculty in becoming independent lifelong researchers.
Reference Internship Description
ELAC interns will spend the bulk of their internship getting hands on experience at the Research Help Desk under the supervision of a librarian. The first 15-20 hours of the internship will be dedicated to observing and shadowing a librarian at the reference desk to become familiar with the library's online catalog, reference and general collections, databases, and basic computer and printing functions at the ELAC library.
Interns are encouraged to acquaint themselves with our library databases and our reference and general collections by browsing the shelves whenever the Research Help Desk is quiet. By the end of the semester, interns will feel comfortable and confident independently answering the myriad questions we all receive at the Research Help Desk.