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.