Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 1/48 Lesson 09 Shelf Reading Items

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 2/48 Please go to Full Screen mode now (Click your right mouse button, select “Full Screen” from the menu)

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 3/48 So much information So little time

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 4/48 The challenge is to organize information and make it accessible to people

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 5/48 That’s our job

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 6/48 Bringing people in touch with the information they need

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 7/48 Lesson 09. Visually Scanning Items for Call Number Consistency A Self-Paced Module in the Instructional Project Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together: Using Computer-Based Instruction for Training Student Assistants at a University Research Library

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 8/48 Acknowledgements Special thanks to all the students who previewed this lesson and provided critical suggestions on how to improve it

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 9/48 Contents of this lesson Review of past learning Learning Objectives Fundamentals of visually scanning items for call number consistency Recap and a look ahead Your response to the lesson

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 10/48 Review of past learning In Lessons 08a and 08b, you learned the fundamentals about how to correctly shelve items in our collections

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 11/48 Where you are in the instructional sequence General Context of Student Assistant Library Work L1 Your Learning Experience as a Student Library Assistant in Circulation Services at Evansdale Library / Assess / Discuss L2 Performance Expectations for Student Assistants / Assess / Discuss L3 Library Resources / Assess / Discuss Maintaining the Integrity of the Physical Collections L4 A Virtual Tour of the Library / Assess / Discuss / Task Perf. 1 / Assess / Discuss L5 Call Number Classification / Assess / Discuss / LC Easy / Task Perf. 2 / Assess / Discuss L6 Retrieving Stacks Items / Assess / Discuss / Task Perf. 3 / Assess / Discuss L7 Straightening Shelves of Items / Assess / Discuss / Task Perf. 4 / Assess / Discuss L8 Shelving Items / Assess / Discuss / Task Perf. 5 / Assess / Discuss L9 Visually Scanning Items for Call Number Consistency / Assess / Discuss / Task Perf. 6 / Assess / Discuss L10 Physical Item Searches / Assess / Discuss / Task Perf. 7 / Assess / Discuss L11 Reconfiguring the Collections / Assess / Discuss / Task Perf. 8 / Assess / Discuss Public Service and System Functions L12 What’s What behind the Circulation Desk / Assess / Discuss / Task Perf. 9 / Assess / Discuss L13 Standard Operations at the Circulation Desk / Assess / Discuss / Task Perf. 10 / Assess / Discuss L14 Introduction to the Endeavor Voyager System / Assess / Discuss L15 Voyager Circulation Module: Interface and Patron Records / Assess / Discuss / Task Perf. 11 / Assess / Discuss L16 Voyager Circulation Module: Discharging Items / Assess / Discuss / Task Perf. 12 / Assess / Discuss L17 Voyager Circulation Module: Charging Items / Assess / Discuss / Task Perf. 13 / Assess / Discuss L18 Voyager Circulation Module: Item Records / Assess / Discuss / Task Perf. 14 / Assess / Discuss L19 Course Reserves / Assess / Discuss / Task Perf. 15 / Assess / Discuss L20 Using the Wireless Laptop Computers, CD Players, and Associated Equipment / Assess / Discuss / Task Perf. 16 / Assess / Discuss L21 Using the Pharos System Print Controller, Printers, Copiers, Digital Sender, and Value-Add Service Machine / Assess / Discuss / Task Perf. 17 / Assess / Discuss L22 Using the MountainLynx Electronic Catalog / Assess / Discuss / Task Perf. 18 / Assess / Discuss L23 Supervising the Use of the Electronic Classroom Computers / Assess / Discuss / Task Perf. 19 / Assess / Discuss L24 How to Help Library Users / Assess / Discuss / Task Perf. 20 / Assess / Discuss L25 Working with Microform and Government Documents / Assess / Discuss / Task Perf. 21 / Assess / Discuss

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 12/48 Learning Objectives for this lesson To provide the fundamentals of visually scanning or shelf reading items for call number consistency

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 13/48 After experiencing this lesson, you will… Know how to visually scan or shelf read a specified set of items for call number consistency

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 14/48 Sections of Lesson 09 This lesson has three (3) sections: §9.1 What is shelf reading and why do it? §9.2 Accuracy is paramount §9.3 How do I do it? Ok, let’s begin …

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 15/48 § 9.1 What is shelf reading and why do we do it?

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 16/48 What do we mean by “visually scanning or shelf reading items?” To visually scan physical items for call number consistency— popularly known as “shelf reading”—we visually check the call number every single item in the shelf section that we are reviewing We are checking to see if the items are in the correct call number order

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 17/48 Why shelf read? Shelf reading is our best means of ensuring the integrity of our physical collections This task supports the two primary objectives of Access Services Let’s briefly review those objectives

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 18/48 Why shelf read (2/4) 1. To maintain the integrity of and access to the various library collections 2. To assist library users as needed to find materials and to gain accurate information related to their research needs

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 19/48 Why shelf read (3/4) In essence, we are charged with… Managing the physical order and circulation of research materials in a variety of formats (paper, floppy disk, CD, LP, audiotape, etc.) Maintaining patron records and working with patrons about aspects of those records (e.g., fines) Communicating with library users about research materials that they are using or wish to use.

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 20/48 Why shelf read (4/4) As a critically important performance task that supports our departmental objectives, shelf reading confirms that every single item is in its proper call number position Done as a regular and organized activity, shelf reading promotes effective access to our physical collections by library users Shelf reading is our main means for finding missing items that are either mis-shelved or have fallen down behind the shelves

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 21/48 § 9.2 Accuracy is paramount

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 22/48 Accuracy and quantity Visually scanning items is a labor-intensive activity It requires that you remain attentive and mindful to the task Accuracy, not quantity, should be your main consideration This task assignment will usually last an hour You can expect to shelf read once per four-hour work shift each day you work

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 23/48 Accuracy and quantity (2/2) Although accuracy has precedence over quantity, you can expect to shelf read somewhere in the range of (non-journal) items in an hour’s time, depending on your skill level, how messed up the shelving area is, and the size of the items But do not rush through the assignment Take care scanning each item’s call number Speed is not important on this task

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 24/48 § 9.3 How do I shelf read?

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 25/48 Stacks Assignment Log To begin, you will be assigned a section by a supervisor The section for you to shelf read is listed on one of the pages of the black binder behind the Desk on the MUCD cabinets labeled “Stacks Assignment Log”

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 26/48 Stacks Log (2/2) The “Stacks Assignment Log” binder contains log sheets organized in call number order There are binder sections for shelf reading on the ground floor, second floor, and main floor There are also shelf straightening log sheets in the back

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 27/48 Write down the previous number On the sheet for the particular call number area where you are assigned to shelf read, write down the last call number jotted down by the previous student for the assigned section on a slip of paper This call number is where you will begin In the binder, write down the date and your name, so no one else will be sent to your section at the same time

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 28/48 Log sheet Let’s look at an example Notice that Cynthia was assigned by David to read in the L-LT section on January 29 She wrote down the call number where the previous person had left off, at LB628.B28, and went shelf reading When she returned, she wrote down the complete item call number that she had read to: LB875.M82

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 29/48 Log sheet (2/2) So, let’s apply this When you are assigned to shelf read a specific call number section, you will write down today’s date, your name, and who assigned this task in the Stacks Assignment Log binder Write the previous call number on a slip of paper

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 30/48 Preparing to shelf read Take the slip of paper and a pen or pencil with you when you go out into the stacks to shelf read Use this slip of paper to find the section where you are to begin Remember to write yourself out of the circulation area on the Daily Task Sheet before you go to do your shelf reading

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 31/48 Find the section Go to the call number of the last item read in the stacks In this example, we are in the LB875 section

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 32/48 Shelf reading procedure To shelf read or visually scan a section of items, carefully look at the call number of each item in progressive call number order Etc.

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 33/48 Procedure (2/6) The call number should be listed either on the bottom of the spine of the item…

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 34/48 Procedure (3/6) … or in the bottom left hand corner of the front cover

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 35/48 Procedure (4/6) In this example, we look at the first item following the last number written in the Shelf Reading Stacks Assignment Log binder, checking to see if the item is in proper call number order

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 36/48 Procedure (5/6) Then look at the next call number Is it in the correct order?

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 37/48 Procedure (6/6) Continue checking each subsequent item Are they in the correct call number order?

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 38/48 Item out of order When you find an item that is slightly out-of-order…

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 39/48 Out of order (2/3) …Place it in its proper order by correctly re-shelving the item

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 40/48 Out of order (3/3) If you find an item that is very misplaced (e.g., an HB item in the LBs), bring it back up with you when you finish; we will check it to see if it has been given a “lost” status in Voyager

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 41/48 Look for fallen items Look behind each shelf, especially the bottom shelves, to confirm that an item has not fallen behind If so, place it back in order

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 42/48 “Front” the shelf When a shelf has been read, straighten up or “front” the items so that the spines of all of the books are lined up flush along the lip of the shelf

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 43/48 Oversize items Check to make sure that oversize books are on the bottom shelf of the specific column of shelves containing items with similar call numbers

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 44/48 Note where you stop; count At the end of the hour, note down the call number of the last item you scanned Try to have your last item shelf read during your hour be the last physical item on the shelf This will make it easier for the next person to find where to continue Now count all of the items that you have shelf read; allot enough time when you start shelf reading to be able to accomplish this count before leaving the area Return to the Circulation area and sign back in on the Daily Tasks Completed sheet In the “No. of Task Items” column, write in the total number of items that you shelf read

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 45/48 Updating the log sheet Remember to note down in the Stacks Assignments Log binder exactly where you left off; print the full call number legibly on the log sheet

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 46/48 Accuracy is important The staff monitors the accuracy of your performance on this task Out of order items that you missed will be collected during review These missed items will need to be shelved by you

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 47/48 Recap and a look ahead You have now been introduced to the fundamentals of how to shelf read or visually scan items for call number consistency In Lesson 10, you will learn how to conduct physical item searches for items that appear to be missing

Revised WE :20 EST Created WE Lesson 09. Shelf Reading Items / Bringing Learners and Library Skills Together Copyright © by A. David Roth | Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 48/48 Response to Lesson 09 Thank you for your participation in experiencing lesson 09 Please access the online response form to report on your learning experienceonline response form Then report to Sherry or another Access Services staff member to perform Task Performance 6