Introducing peer-to-peer reference services in a community college library

Abstract

Purpose

The authors discuss the challenges and successes in implementing a peer reference service model in a community college library.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors present a case study about the development of a peer reference service at a community college library. The article includes a chronological overview of the program, a brief literature review, the authors’ own observations, interviews with student employees, comments from librarians working with the students and reference service data. They reviewed local reference service data, conducted a limited review of the literature, interviewed librarians at a university with a peer reference assistance program and incorporated their own observations to create the Pellissippi Ambassadors for Library Success program.

Findings

Findings suggest that peer reference services benefit student employees, student researchers and librarians.

Research limitations/implications

The article does not include a comprehensive literature review.

Originality/value

The study discusses peer reference services in a community college library setting and can be of use to librarians implementing peer reference services.

Citation

Scripa, A. and Spencer, M.E. (2023), "Introducing peer-to-peer reference services in a community college library", Reference Services Review, Vol. 51 No. 2, pp. 134-150. https://doi.org/10.1108/RSR-09-2022-0039