Challenges to Reference Desk Use

Why are adult international learners often reluctant to approach reference librarians? The student may have:

• No concept of self-service, open stacks, borrowing books, interlibrary loans, or accessing reserve books.
• No concept of what a reference librarian does.
• A fear of bothering the reference librarian.
• A fear of admitting ignorance.
• A fear their English will be misunderstood.
• A cultural bias that restricts males from seeking assistance from female librarians.