question, question, question

Last semester, when I took Reference class, I had to do an assignment where I observed a Reference Librarian and then asked him/her a fake reference question to observe how they responded to the question. The assignment was irritating to do since the topic I was creating a research guide on was one of my areas of specialty from the my MA in English. My topic was post-colonial theory, and I knew more about the topic than the librarian so it seemed like a pointless exercise.

Now, working as a Reference Assistant, I get the pleasure of helping reference students with their fake questions. The assignment is equally irritating from this side. For the past week and a half, the 100 or so reference students have been bombarding the reference department with their questions. Some come in person; some e-mail their questions; some ask over live chat. The whole department is a bit irritated by the whole deal because these fake questions tie up our resources so that we have a more difficult time addressing the legitimate questions. The head of our department may have to have a little chat with the professor whose assignments have been clogging up our resources.

Now you may be thinking, "Isn't the reference desk where people are supposed to ask questions?" And the answer would be "Yes. Absolutely." But, legitimate questions only please. Also, these students are supposed to be learning how to answer reference questions through this course. The way I see it, by them coming to us to show them where to find the information they're looking for, one of two things is taking place: 1) The reference desk staff is doing the students' work for them, or 2) The reference desk staff is doing the professor's work for him. Either way it needs to stop.