Information Research Weblog

According to article, entitled "For Ethical Reference, Pare the Paraprofessionals" written by Steve McKinzie I strongly believe that the paraprofessional should be able to perform some of the duties that a professional reference librarian are assigned. Although, when I was working as a Children's Librarian Assistant, I did not realize how some of the responses to a patron's questions would be considered a reference question. I was well aware of all the resources in the children's room. It could be a lot of reasons why sometimes librarians perform some professional librarian duties - duties that the paraprofessional might not think it's a professionals's job, understaff, and etc. Many different aspects should be considered before attacking the paraprofessional. When I was a paraprofessional I knew I would more than capable of some reference questions but my response was to have the patrons fill out a form and wait until the next day when the reference librarian was unavailable.