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Main Library Service Desk: Reference Sampling Week

Notice

Fall Reference Sampling Week is here!
Monday, September 15 - Sunday, September 21, 2025

Reference Sampling Week Form for Main Library Circulation & User Services

Definitions for Reference Sampling Week

Directional Question - Logistical use of the library

Circulation Question - Only record if you explained something to a patron who was checking something in or out. (If they just checked out or returned something, but you didn't explain anything, you don't have to record it.)

Reference Question - Must involve the knowledge, use, recommendations, interpretation, or instruction in the use one or more information sources (i.e. InfoHawk+; databases; research guides)

Technical Question - Answering questions regarding printers, computer issues, etc.

Referral - Use this if, in order to answer a patrons' question, you had to refer them to somewhere else, for example:ILL, Just Ask Desk, Special Collections, campus IT, etc. Providing a patron with a business card or other contact information could be recorded as a referral as well.

Instructions for Viewing Results

Simple directions:

  • Login to LibWizard
  • Select Forms
  • Select the Circulation & User Services folder
  • Choose the form called Circulation & User Services Reference Sampling Week
  • Near the top, right, corner of the page, select View Reports
  • You can download the statistics into excel

To view the full instructions for downloading and recording these statistics, view the instructions on SharePoint.

Link to the standalone form: https://uiowa.libwizard.com/f/cus-rsw