When we spoke with Reference Librarian Kate Wenger in January 2012, her series of workshops–on everything from “Basic Databases” to “Evaluating Resources”–drew students ready to improve their research skills. This fall, Chatham women still take her workshops and stop by her desk for awesome answers to literature-related questions. We caught up with Wenger to see what’s new in the library:
“As far as updates/new projects, we started a new method of obtaining feedback from students last spring,” she says. “We put up posters near the library sliding doors that students could write on. We started with some that were purely for fun/venting – ‘All I want for [favorite winter holiday] is…’ and ‘Finals are….’ After that, there were two that got some great responses:
1) ‘I wish my library would…’ and
2) ‘I love my library because….’
We responded to all the comments students listed for what they wished we would do. A vending machine was suggested (and has been suggested before), and we now have one for beverages. This also gave us the opportunity to explain the reasons we are unable to do some of the thing students would like us to do. I’m hoping to put up some more feedback posters soon.”
Next time you’re in the library, look for the feedback posters. And if you’re ever in need of guidance on a research project, Wenger is the way to go.
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