Librarians at your doorstep: Roving reference at Towson University

Abstract

Off-site reference delivery is one model that puts library services directly in the hands of students and faculty, within a point of need context. In an academic community like Towson's, where library instruction is embedded and librarians' accessibility is assumed, the individualized research support and face-to-face dimension that characterizes roving reference service effectively affirms our commitment to student success. Students and faculty have come to rely on the spontaneous and casual nature of this outreach service and acknowledge that it reduces barriers to library interaction. The many benefits of providing off-site reference service include building librarians' relationships with our students and faculty, conveying our collaborative spirit, and high-profile marketing of library services.© 2010 Claire Holmes and Lisa Woznicki.