A reference scenario is an imagined situation where a
library
A library is a collection of Book, books, and possibly other Document, materials and Media (communication), media, that is accessible for use by its members and members of allied institutions. Libraries provide physical (hard copies) or electron ...
patron brings a question to a
librarian
A librarian is a person who professionally works managing information. Librarians' common activities include providing access to information, conducting research, creating and managing information systems, creating, leading, and evaluating educat ...
and there is then a conversation, called in the field a
reference interview
A reference interview is a conversation between a librarian and a library user, usually at a reference desk, in which the librarian responds to the user's initial explanation of their information need by first attempting to clarify that need and th ...
, where the librarian works to help the patron find the information they want. These scenarios are used in training future librarians in how to help patrons. A scenario can be as short as a couple of sentence; it includes a question and a situation that underlies that question.
Scenarios focus the library student on the interaction with a patron. In class practice sessions, one student acts as the patron and the other as the librarian; the one practicing as the librarian shouldn't know the whole scenario in advance.
Scenarios are valued because often the question asked is not the end of the patron's information search, but the start. Patrons often start by voicing a question that they think the library can answer, rather than the question they are actually seeking to answer; or, they pose a question that the librarian doesn't understand. Reference librarian skills are about mediating a gap between what the patron wants and what the library can provide. This can involve the librarian making themselves a partner in the patron's search, showing them what the library has to offer, or sometimes just clarifying a confusing word.
See also
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Reference work
A reference work is a document, such as a Academic publishing#Scholarly paper, paper, book or periodical literature, periodical (or their electronic publishing, electronic equivalents), to which one can refer for information. The information ...
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Library reference desk
The reference desk or information desk of a library is a public service counter where professional librarians provide library users with direction to library materials, advice on library collections and services, and expertise on multiple kinds ...
References
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Reference
Library science education