The Appointments with a Librarian program is designed for students to make appointments with librarians for more in-depth help with research and citation. This service offers two main types of consultations: research and citation. The important thing to note with these consultations and clinics is that they are absolutely free tools for students to use. Some students have a tough time trying to traverse through all of what UAB has to offer and it can be hard to filter out the right information that one needs.
Delores Carlito is the instruction coordinator for the Appointments with a Librarian program held within UAB’s Sterne Library. Ms. Carlito interpreted this phenomenon as “information overload” and students take all this information as “white noise.” This program seeks to bridge this gap between students and services and create what Ms. Carlito called a reliance on a “point of need.” This program is designed with the student in mind and acts as a catalyst connecting students with resources they need. It is built for the individual; it is tailored for your specific needs. Appointments are easy to make, offer specialists in most academic fields and disciplines, encompass most citation styles, and are available seven days a week. The only stipulation on this program is that the librarians require that appointments are requested twenty-four hours before the appointed time in order for them to gather the needed information and resources. “This gives ample time for the librarian to get the student what he or she needs,” said Ms. Carlito.
Now, for the up and coming professional writer, this program may not seem to meet the demanding needs of the working world and the professional writing discipline. This program may be generalized to the overall student populace; however, this program can also be geared towards professional writing and the problems faced within the “working world.” This service, according to Ms. Carlito, “helps you think critically and teaches you vital skills that everyone needs in life.” It is not only a tool for academia; it also applies beyond that to the challenges of careers, careers like professional writing. Professional writers need to know how to look for certain information, and have the ability to apply and use it in an analytical fashion. These skills can be honed in and amplified by this program, and can teach students valuable lessons in real world research and citation situations. Research is a part of daily life for many writers, and knowing how and where to get that information is crucial to being successful in the job market. As Ms. Carlito said, “These types of applications are for anything; information literacy is a must in today’s world.” This rings especially true for professional writing.
