Social and pedagogical interactions with recipients of reference services the scientific libraries at the library helpdesk

Abstract

The article presents socio-pedagogical interactions with library users at the library helpdesk of a scientific library. The tasks of a reference librarian, assisting users in their catalogue search, formally fall within the scope of information science de-partments. The library helpdesk in often where users make the first contact with the library. The essence of good social contact is mutual respect and the subjec-tive approach to the recipient of library services. The appropriate attitude of the librarian, kindness marked by non-violent communication (according to the M.B. Rosenberg method), expressing interest in the user’s needs and commitment needed to provide assistance require a language appropriate to the age of the interlocutor and skillful balancing between the psychological spheres: “Me-Adult”, “Me-Parent”, “Me-Child” of interlocutors (presented in the transactional analysis by E. Berne). Modern technological progress, in terms of tools and information re-sources, demand constant development of professional skills: both hard and soft skills of a reference librarian, so that she/he can adequately respond to the needs of an recipients of reference services: both teenagers and adults, but often with low information literacy, as well as persons experiencing difficulties in adaptating to the fast changes of postmodernity.