Quora as a Valuable Resource for Reference Librarians

Quora is an incredible platform that serves not only as a source of knowledge and topics of interest but also as a practical tool for reference librarians. By engaging and participating in the platform, librarians can enhance their skills in the art of the reference interview and provide valuable insights to a wider audience.

Enhancing Reference Interview Skills

The age of online chat and email references has made it increasingly important for librarians to know how to respond effectively to user questions in different formats. Quora offers a unique opportunity to practice these skills. When engaging with questions and providing answers, librarians can:

Engage in Thoughtful Dialogue: Librarians can receive practice in structuring responses, ensuring that their answers are concise, well-thought-out, and reasoned. Provide Expert Insights: By sharing insights drawn from their expertise, librarians can contribute valuable knowledge to the community. Offer Sources and Citations: For specific topics that require it, librarians can include sources and citations to bolster the credibility of their answers.

The platform also allows users to follow topics they are interested in, making it easier for librarians to stay current and relevant.

Sharing Ideas and Expertise

One of the many benefits of Quora for reference librarians is the ability to share ideas, opinions, and suggestions with other professionals in the field. This can include:

Posting Opinions: Librarians can share their thoughts on various topics pertinent to the field, fostering a community discussion. Replying to Questions: By answering questions on Quora, librarians can build their reputation as subject matter experts. Creating and Participating in Threads: Starting and joining open-ended threads on topics of interest to the field can help build a community of like-minded professionals.

Knowledge Base for LIS Students

Quora has the potential to serve as a valuable resource for LIS (Library and Information Science) students. They can use the platform to:

Draw from the Community: Engage with experienced professionals and gain insights into the field. Start Threads: Facilitate discussions and generate open-ended threads on topics that may be pertinent to their education. Access a Hive Mind: Utilize the collective knowledge of a large community of librarians, TIC professionals, and other related individuals.

Many of Quora's users are passionate about learning and share a deep interest in the world. This aligns perfectly with the goals of LIS students and professionals alike.

Community Building and Expert Identification

Beyond personal growth and sharing, Quora offers librarians an opportunity to build a community by:

Creating Lists of Subject Experts: Librarians can curate lists of professionals who are active on Quora, making it easier for others to access expert opinions on specific topics. For example, a business librarian could create a list of companies with employees active on Quora to direct questions appropriately. Evaluating Subject Strengths: Assess which subject areas Quora is particularly strong in and where it may be weak. This can help guide future engagement strategies and identify areas where additional expertise might be needed. Fostering Critical Mass: By following topics and contributing to discussions, librarians can help build a larger community of users interested in specific domains, such as education, business, or technology.

Conclusion

Quora is not only a platform for reference librarians to share knowledge, practice their skills, and engage with the community but also a tool for professional development and collaboration. Its potential for building a knowledge base, fostering community, and identifying subject experts makes it an invaluable resource for LIS students and professionals alike.