UBC Library Public Service Interactions Reported in Desk Tracker

Interactions are classified by type based on the nature of question and the effort and expertise required to respond. The question types used in this dataset can be mapped to the Association of Research Libraries' (ARL) definitions for reference and directional interactions: Reference (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Comprehensive interaction types): "an information contact that involves the knowledge, use, recommendations, interpretation, or instruction in the use of one or more information sources by a member of the library staff." Directional (Hardware/authentication and Directional interaction types): "an information contact that facilitates the logistical use of the library and that does not involve the knowledge, use, recommendations, interpretation, or instruction in the use or creation of information sources other than those that describe the library, such as schedules, floor plans, and handbooks." Please contact Jeremy Buhler at jeremy.buhler@ubc.ca if you have questions.