For an assignment at the iSchool@UBC for LIBR 506: Human Information Interaction, I acted as an information intermediary in the search process for a classmate. In preparation for this assignment we were to prepare three personal information search questions to present our assigned partner with (and they also had to present me with three questions). A complete search was required for at least one of these questions. I interviewed my partner and she interviewed me. Each partner’s in-class search could be broken down into three parts—first, the initial reference interview, then the search process, and finally, the output interview where the search results were shared.
This assignment entailed two deliverables, one as the intermediary and one as the client. As the intermediary you had to present an overview of your search strategies for one of your client’s questions and include a reflection on your experience as an intermediary. As the client, you had to complete an in-depth assessment form about the intermediary’s performance.
This assignment allowed me to practice my interviewing, interpersonal, and search skills. More specifically, I was able to draw on skills learned in previous class lectures regarding the reference interview and the use of various information resources and tools, such as the UBC LibGuides and Summon and backward and forward chaining. These skills are integral to helping people effectively and efficiently satisfy their information needs. It enhanced my understanding of the importance of my role as an information professional in increasing the accessibility of information.
In the completion of this in-class search assignment I:
- Asked open-ended, closed, and clarifying questions appropriately, which allowed me to identify and distinguish my client's negotiated questions of “what are the origins of Dadaism? From what climate did it arise (politically and culturally)?” from their previous general question of “what is Dadism?”
- Presented a welcoming and professional atmosphere through active listening, eye contact, encouragement of questions, positive body language, and expressed interest in the topic, which allowed my client to feel more comfortable expressing their information need
- Applied my knowledge of information resources, tools, and technologies to my client’s information need, which resulted in a detailed (and ordered) list of 8 possible sources that I was able to share/review with her during the output interview
- Ensured open communication was kept between myself and my client during the entire interview and search process, allowing my client to leave the interview feeling her information needs were satisfied
- Accessed information resources for credibility and relativity to the information need at hand
- Collaborated with my partner as both an intermediary and client to make sure each of our information needs were met
- Expressed ideas and concepts thoroughly in verbal and written communications both during the interview and search process and in deliverables
- Documented my search strategy thoroughly so both the client and instructor could read and follow my steps/process
Below is my reflection of this assignment as an intermediary.
