78 REFERENCE SERVICES
can become a complex one even when the parties involved are adults who
speak the same language, how much more challenging is providing reference
assistance to individuals who may not only be just learning to read but to
explore and make sense of the world around them? Linda Ward-Callaghan
notes that, “because children are often not able to present their requests in
the clearest manner, the reference interview becomes the most important step
in identifying the details necessary to enable the librarian to provide the best
information for each request.”^1
The components of the standard reference interview (approachability,
interest, listening/inquiring, searching, and follow-up) need a little fine-tuning
when providing reference service to young people. Let’s consider each of
those elements and how they might be adapted to reference interviews with
youthful patrons.approachability
For the child, simply approaching a reference
desk in the children’s department can be a scary
proposition. As children are generally less skilled
at asking questions, the children’s librarian’s job
is two-fold: to be open (receptive, friendly); and
to treat the child’s question with respect.
—Kay Bishop and Anthony Salveggi, “Responding to
Developmental Stages in Reference Service to Children”Imagine walking into a place where everyone is taller than you and looking
down at you with a less than welcoming expression, or worse, completely
ignoring you. Imagine, too, that this is the only place where you can find
information for an important school project or a book you would really like
to read. Even more so than with adults, the librarian providing reference
service to children must convey by body language and a friendly demeanor
that the patron is welcome in the library and that there is someone who will
listen to their request and help them find what they need. For example, the
librarian can come out from behind the desk to talk to the child, or, in the
case of a very small child, bend down or kneel until he or she is eye-to-eye
with the little one.http://www.ebook3000.com