Following Anita Whitehead’s presentation on “The Roving Librarian” at the SUNLA 2009 conference, I’ve been thinking a lot about starting a similar program at Buffalo State. Realizing the importance of good marketing, we are currently brainstorming what to call ourselves (I don’t know if I really like the word roving…maybe vagabond or something else would be more edgy!) out on campus…along with what to wear. Of course we are considering some cool looking t-shirt (perhaps something like this one found on the Unshelved website…or maybe this one?). Once we get this very important element sorted out, our plan is to hit the bricks with our laptops (and pockets full of necessary supplies: stapler, pen, paperclips, etc.). When I say hit the bricks, this also means going up the stairs to the 2nd and 3rd floors of our very own library. As busy as our reference desk gets– we are certain that there are wanderers (um, vagabond students?) lost in the stacks. We think we might try and purchase a small cart to wheel around (but not absolutely needed–as how much space do you really need for a small laptop?). So, some things to work out:
1. What to call ourselves (roving, vagabond, etc).
2. What to put on our t-shirts (a question mark: “Vagabond/Roving Librarian: Research Assistance for Students on the Go” or “Roving Librarian: Ask Me for Help” or “Ask Me: Research Help for Students on the Go”??)…”Librarians in the Know for When You’re on the Go”…
3. What to put on our signs (“Ask Me: Research Assistance for Students on the Go” perhaps?)
4. Hotspots to hit on campus: Student Union, dorms, 2nd & 3rd Floors of our own library. Do we need to schedule this as we do the reference desk? Do we have certain hours when we are in the same place– or do we “switch it up?” Many of these things will work themselves out with time I think.
We’d welcome any feedback on suggestions! I’ll keep you posted on how this all unfolds…stay tuned.
