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READ Scale for Ask Us

No Value

READ SCALE UOPX READ SCALE
  Ask Us Example
 
  • Thank you

Level 1

READ SCALE UOPX READ SCALE
  • Answers that require the least amount of effort
  • No specialized knowledge skills or expertise
  • No consultation of resources
  • Less than 5 minutes
  • Answers that require the least amount of effort
  • No specialized knowledge, skills, or expertise
  • No consultation of resources
  • Less than 5 minutes
Examples Ask Us Examples
  • Directional inquiries
  • Library or service hours
  • Service point locations
  • Rudimentary machine assistance (locating/using copiers, how to print or supplying paper)
  • Request for question clarification
  • Questions that we cannot answer, and we refer to the instructor, another department, and/or technical support
    • Can you help me with my homework assignment?
  • Questions that involve a product, software, or database that we do not have and/or will not get

Level 2

READ SCALE UOPX READ SCALE
  • Answers given which require more effort
  • Require only minimal specific knowledge skills or expertise
  • Answers may need nominal resource consultation
  • Answers given which require a small amount of effort
  • Require only minimal specific knowledge skills or expertise
  • Answers may need nominal resource consultation
Examples Ask Us Examples
  • Call number inquiries
  • Item location
  • Minor machine and computer equipment assistance
  • General library or policy information
  • More complex machine assistance (how to save to a disk or email records, launching programs or re-booting)
  • Database or resource location
    • Where is Mental Measurements Yearbook?
  • Minor library-related technical assistance
    • I cannot access my EBSCO account.
    • How do I keep my references to use later?
  • General library, policy, or course information
    • Will I have access to the library after I graduate?
    • Where is my textbook?
  • Question that can be answered with an FAQ, Toolkit, How Do I, macro, or reusing another librarian's response without modification
    • I need information on time management.
    • How do I find peer reviewed resources?

Level 3

READ SCALE UOPX READ SCALE
  • Answers in this category require some effort and time
  • Consultation of ready reference resource materials is needed
  • Minimal instruction of the user may be required
  • Reference knowledge and skills come into play
  • Answers in this category require some effort and time
  • Consultation of ready reference resource materials is needed
  • Minimal instruction of the user may be required
  • Reference knowledge and skills come into play
Examples Ask Us Examples
  • Answers that require specific reference resources (encyclopedias or databases)
  • Basic instruction on searching the online catalog
  • Direction to relevant subject databases
  • Introduction to web searching for a certain item
  • How to scan and save images
  • Increasingly complex technical problems (assistance with remote use)
  • Answers that require specific reference resources (encyclopedias or databases)
    • How can I look up word definitions?
  • Basic instruction on using the library search box
    • I need information on women and leadership.
  • Simple searches
    • Simple searches in EBSCOhost or ProQuest, without using field codes or multiple Boolean operators.
  • How to find a specific publication
  • Library use question that can be answered with an FAQ, Toolkit, How Do I, macro, or reusing another librarian's response with minimum modification
  • Complex technical issues that require internally reassigning the ticket to an IT library technician.

Level 4

READ SCALE UOPX READ SCALE
  • Answers or research requests require the consultation of multiple resources
  • Subject specialists may need to be consulted and more thorough instruction and assistance occurs
  • Reference knowledge and skills needed
  • Efforts can be more supportive in nature for the user, or if searching for a finite answer, difficult to find
  • Exchanges can be more instruction based as staffs teach users more in-depth research skills
  • Answers or research requests require the consultation of multiple resources
  • Reference knowledge and skills needed
  • Efforts can be more supportive in nature for the user, or if searching for a finite answer, difficult to find
  • Exchanges can be more instruction based as staffs teach users more in-depth research skills
Examples Ask Us Examples
  • Instructing users how to utilize complex search techniques for the online catalog, databases and the web
  • How to cross-reference resources and track related supporting materials
  • Services outside of reference become utilized (ILL, Tech services, etc), collegial consultation
  • Assisting users in focusing or broadening searches (helping to re-define or clarify a topic)
  • Instructing undergraduate level users how to utilize slightly more complex search techniques for the library search box, databases, and the web
    • Articles from nursing journals regarding patient wait times and its effect on patient satisfaction.
    • Looking on communication methods for Generation Z.
  • Follow up that requires alternative database recommendations and search strategies
  • Instructions that use FAQs,Toolkit, How Do I, macro, and/or reusing another librarian's response but require significant modification
  • Assisting users in focusing or broadening searches (helping to re-define or clarify a topic)

Level 5

READ SCALE UOPX READ SCALE
  • More substantial effort and time spent assisting with research and finding information
  • On the high end of the scale, subject specialists need to be consulted
  • Consultation appointments with individuals might be scheduled Efforts are cooperative in nature, between the user and librarian and or working with colleagues
  • Multiple resources used
  • Research, reference knowledge, and skills needed
  • Dialogue between the user and librarian may take on a 'back and forth question' dimension
  • More substantial effort and time spent assisting with research and finding information
  • On the high end of the scale, subject specialists need to be consulted
  • Multiple resources used
  • Research, reference knowledge, and skills needed
  • Dialogue between the user and librarian may take on a 'back and forth question' dimension
Examples Ask Us Examples
  • False leads
  • Interdisciplinary consultations / research
  • Question evolution
  • Expanding searches / resources beyond those locally available
  • Graduate research
  • Difficult outreach problems (access issues that need to be investigated)
  • Slightly more complex Master's level research
    • Where can I find germinal resources on topics such as mental toughness?
  • Expanding searches / resources beyond those locally available
    • After extensive searching recommendations are made to contact associations, agencies or subject experts.
  • Requests for primary research that requires significant research time
    • I need help finding information on a New Mexico Constable name Perfecto Rodriguez.
  • Requests that utilized advanced search skills beyond typical TI, SU referrals

Level 6

READ SCALE UOPX READ SCALE
  • The most effort and time expended
  • Inquiries or requests for information can't be answered on the spot
  • At this level, staff may be providing in-depth research and services for specific needs of the clients
  • This category covers some 'special library' type research services
  • Primary (original documents) and secondary resource materials may be used
  • The most effort and time expended
  • Inquiries or requests for information can't be answered on the spot
  • At this level, staff may be providing in-depth research and services for specific needs of the clients
  • This category covers some 'special library' type research services
  • Primary (original documents) and secondary resource materials may be used
Examples Ask Us Examples
  • Creating bibliographies and bibliographic education
  • In-depth faculty and PhD student research
  • Relaying specific answers and supplying supporting materials for publication, exhibits, etc.; working with outside vendors
  • Collaboration and on-going research
  • Doctoral level research questions that require more complex and in-depth instruction
  • Internal research requests that require significant time investment