What is good reference service? At the Colgate Libraries, we strive to:

1. Provide a friendly, helpful and welcoming space where users feel comfortable engaging in open dialogue about their information needs.

2. Meet the information needs of users while empowering them to develop their own research skills.

3. Work in close collaboration with each other to provide the best service possible.
 

*Adapted from the Research Desk Mission Statement at Hope College Library

Library Peer Research Consultants training module in Moodle (2023-2024).

This guide was adapted with permission from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's guide Reference Interview and Instruction in Reference Training and Smith College's guide Student Reference Training. Heartfelt thanks to Piper Martin and Esther Roth-Katz and their respective teams at UIUC and Smith, respectively, for their generosity and support.