Activity #1 Mock Reference Interview Due 6/25 Submit Assignment Due Jun 25 by 11:59pm Points 5 Submitting a file upload Available May 22 at 12am - Aug 11 at 11:59pm 3 months Mock Reference Interview
This week, I would like you to get more practice conducting a reference interview. The exercise itself should take you no more than an hour at the very most. You won't be perfect at it; I don't expect you to be perfect or even good at it. This is simply a chance to start practicing. Pair up with someone from the course (we will make sure everyone has a partner for this sometime during the first class weekend). With your partner, practice the reference interview twice, once you will play the role of the interviewer and once you will play the role of the interviewee.
Each person may come up with their own reference question— but please be reasonable. Simple is typically better with this assignment. The person playing the role of librarian should aim to find at least ONE book, ONE article, and ONE web source relating to the topic to give you practice with these three different formats. Use Emporia State’s library resources and the web to locate your recommendations.
You may conduct your interviews by phone, by email, by chat, or by any other communication channel you like BUT you must conduct it in real time. In other words, you must both be actively engaged in the exercise at the same time. After you complete the interview twice, write a brief reflection (no more than 500 words) about the experience and submit it as a word document on Canvas under Learning Activity #1 Mock Reference Interview. In your paper, please mention who you partnered with.
Rubric Activity #1 Activity #1 Criteria Ratings Pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe refelction paper was turned in on time and was approx. 500 words (not over). 2.0 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe reflection paper was throughtfully written and free of gramatical errors. 3.0 pts Total Points: 5.0
Mock Reference Interview – Brian Whitmer | 802XS Authors note: I wasn’t sure if I should include my follow-up email to Jody given the 500 word limit on the essay but I went ahead and included it for completeness.
June 18, 2017 - Reference Interview with Jody Vogler I conducted my reference interview with my partner Jody Vogler on Sunday, June 18, 2017 using Zoom. We had agreed beforehand to use zoom as we both wanted to increase our comfort level using video conferencing technology. Before getting to the actual assignment, Jody and I chatted and got used to the technology which was very helpful in alleviating nervousness. When we began the actual reference interviews, the “technology frame” had largely become “invisible” and it felt surprising like a face-to-face interview. The only issue was when we would “talk over” each other due to slight lags in the connection. Otherwise this element of the interview went smoothly. Jody began the interview by answer my question regarding finding resource materials on the German computer pioneer Konard Zuse. She was able to track down books, articles and other information that was held by William Allen White. The interview was pleasant, informative and success from the standpoint of my gaining the information I was seeking. Next, I attempted to answer an immediate and relevant question posed by Jody. The night before a tree had been blown over by the wind and uprooted. She wanted to know what type of tree would be a good replacement. She also wanted a resource with lots of picture. Being relatively unfamiliar with the topic, no resource source readily came to mind. Using the academic library resources of William Allen White wasn’t immediately helpful. I turned to the web and performed a keyword search using “Missouri”, “trees”, and “landscape” as key words. This led me to a potential web resource http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/ which had pictures of various midwestern trees and information regarding landscape issues. We talked further and decided to look for the climate zone that Jackson County, Missouri was located in. The hardiness zone map was found and we determined that she was in the 6a band. However, I hadn’t found a source to directly answer her question and rather than keeping her from getting back to dealing with the downed tree, I told Jody I would do some more exploration and email her my findings. After thanking her and signing off, I performed another search and was then able to find an informative source on the web as well as a phone number for the local USDA extension office located in Jackson County so Jody would have a local expert available to answer specific questions if necessary. I composed a follow up email (see below) and sent the information to Jody. Answering reference questions is a moment-to-moment negotiation of problem solving, search, conversation, and time management. The balance of any element can threaten the success of the interview. This was a helpful test of answering a difficult question while being conscious of the constraints on time and information needs. I’m also glad we chose to use Zoom to practice video conferencing.
E-Mail to Jody Hi, Jodi…. After we spoke earlier, I was able to track down an excellent local resource for your question regarding what type of tree would be a suitable candidate for your front yard to replace the tree blow down by yesterday’s storm. (Glad you and your property were not injured!!) The University of Missouri Extension Website has an excellent list of articles and specialist publications related to trees and shrubs that are most appropriate for the 6a zone in Jackson county. Click below to visit the website: http://extension.missouri.edu/main/DisplayCategory.aspx?C=66 There is also a local agricultural extension that you can visit or contact for personal help: Jackson County - Kansas City Extension Center | 105 East 5th Street, Ste 200 | Kansas City, MO 64106 | Phone: 816-482-5850 After searching Amazon again, I was able to track down a few books that might be helpful to you. Native Trees of the Midwest | https://www.amazon.com/Native-Trees-Midwest-Identification-Landscaping/dp/1557535728/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497814790&sr=8-1&keywords=midwest+trees Trees of Missouri – A Field Guide | https://www.amazon.com/Trees-Missouri-Field-Identification-Guides/dp/1591931568/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1497814790&sr=8-2&keywords=midwest+trees Midwest Fruit Tree Management | https://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Tree-Fruit-Management-Handbook/dp/B001IVXFY8/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1497814790&sr=8-5&keywords=midwest+trees And finally, searching the library resources available from Emporia State I found a link to the following ebook: Handbook of trees for the Midwest | https://emporiastate.on.worldcat.org/search?databaseList=283%2C1708%2C638&queryString=midwest+trees#/oclc/4099230 And one article: Native trees of the Midwest: identification, wildlife values, and landscaping use| https://emporiastate.on.worldcat.org/search?sortKey=&databaseList=283%2C1708%2C638&queryString=midwest+trees&changedFacet=content&scope=&content=peerReviewed&format=Artchap&database=all&author=all&year=all&yearFrom=&yearTo=&language=all#/oclc/6826577520 I hope these prove helpful in your search for the right replacement tree. Please contact me if I can provide further assistance or if you require help tracking down additional resources. Cordially,
Brian Whitmer Librarian-in-Training