Reference Desk Etiquette Guidelines

Personal Items at the Reference Desk

• All personal items should be locked securely in the filing cabinet reserved for part-time librarians. You may take items to the desk if you want to work with them, but bags and purses should be kept locked up.
• Talking on cell phones is banned at the reference desk. You may talk on them while on your break in an area away from the reference desk. You may text on your cell phone while at the desk, but keep it to a minimum and try to do it surreptitiously so as to not draw attention to it.
• Headphones are banned at the reference desk.
• Food is banned from the reference desk, but drinks in spill proof containers are allowed. All food should be eaten in the staff area, away from the reference desk.

Socializing

Customer service is an important component of this job. While we understand that you will talk to staff and faculty, if you are socializing excessively with them it may deter patrons who need assistance.

• Social conversations with faculty or staff should be limited unless you are assisting him/her with library related questions.
• Personal conversations on the reference desk phone are prohibited, unless it is an emergency.

Starting and Ending reference desk shift

• Be on-time and ready to assist patrons, you may have to take over a reference interview.
• Towards the end of your shift, finish up emails and save documents. You should be ready to log off no more than 5 minutes after the end of your shift.
• If you are conducting a reference interview that will take more than 5 minutes, please refer them to the next librarian on duty.