In December I helped a student with his bibliography on a final paper. He was a mature student returning to school after a long absence, and like most mature students CONFIDENCE was an issue. All of the internet tricks, the typing, the databases…everything was new to him and he was overwhelmed!
I had helped him in the library through the semester with small things, a bit of coaching here and there. But at the end of the semester he was completely frustrated and even emotional–I caught him at a desperate moment.
So one Wednesday I sat with him for maybe 45 minutes, going over the basics of MLA style and showing him some of the online resources/tricks that make the bibliography easier. We did the OWL pages, looked at the MLA book, and I showed him the citation tools in EBSCO. We did a sample ciation in his Works Cited page. All normal stuff I do with students every day.
But this was a huge gift to the student! Just having me coach him through the basics was a huge help to him. He was completely relieved and near tears with thanks!
The next day he brought me a pointsettia to thank me. I was (and still am) completely touched. What a wonderful gesture!
Of course, this is not the only time I have been given flowers at work…I must be doing soemthing right!
1 response so far ↓
Mary // February 6, 2009 at 2:16 pm |
No doubt you’re doing something right, Suzanne! Kudos on a being such a wonderful librarian!
-Mary
(found your new blog via Linked In – cool, huh?)