Training and Support for Student Library Employees in a Tiered Reference Service Model: Supporting Materials

To cultivate students’ reference skills, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Division of the UC Berkeley Library developed an active training program based upon a dynamic online reference manual continuously improved with student feedback. We evaluate the effectiveness of our training program and share procedures and tools for enhancing student training. Students were given a pre-test of reference skills and self-efficacy prior to attending an annual training session. One month afterwards, we distributed a post-test and survey was distributed. Qualitative and quantitative feedback on training satisfaction, usefulness, and impact were analyzed. The results suggest that our procedures and tools were effective but also identified ongoing challenges.