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Resources for SJSU Librarians

Reference Basics

Teach rather than answer questions

Get students actively involved - guide them through a search, rather than have them watch you conduct the search.

Provide information, not interpretation, tutoring, or advice.

SJSU's Online Reference Sources Libguide: links to the library's main reference source databases, resources, and library tutorials

SJSU Library Research Demonstration Video:

Other resources:

RUSA Guidelines for Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Service Providers

Guidelines of the Successful Reference Interview from American Library Association

Cassell, K. A. (2018) Reference and information services: an introduction (Fourth ed). ALA Neal-Schuman, an imprint of the American Library Association.

A Reference Interview 

Steps of a reference interview:

  1. Welcoming
  2. Gathering general information from the user and getting an overview of the problem
  3. Confirming the exact question
  4. Intervention, such as giving information, advice or instructions
  5. Finishing, including feedback and summary

Martin Luther King Jr., Library Security Phone #: 408-808-2635

  • The Library Security team is staffed by 2 police officers and a number of Community Service Specialists (non-sworn security officers)
  • Call library security or 911 for immediate help in any dangerous or threatening behavior by patrons 

If a student or patron is showing sign of distress, but doesn't seem to be in need of immediate emergency service, call the Behavioral Intervention Team: 408-924-6339

  • Behavioral Intervention Team is a group on campus that works to offer coordinated institutional response to students and SJSU community members whose behavior poses a risk to themselves or others.

For guide on how to respond to various situations of students in distress, refer to SJSU's Red Folder: https://www.sjsu.edu/bit/red-folder.php

Other resources:

Counseling and Psychological Services: 408-924-5910 (if after hours, press 4)

University Ombudsperson: 408-924-5995

Additional resources list: https://www.sjsu.edu/bit/resources/