Allison Scripa and Mary Ellen Spencer
The authors discuss the challenges and successes in implementing a peer reference service model 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.