Reference & Access Services Subcommittee Annual Report 2022

submitted by Kate Lambaria

Current Roster

  • Kate Lambaria, chair (2023)
  • Donna Maher, member (2023)
  • Carol I. Lubkowski, member (2024)
  • Laura B. Thompson, member (2025)
  • Sarah Ward, member (2026)
  • Melanie Zeck, member (2026)

List of Previous Goals and Progress Made

  1. Continue to offer responses to queries from the “Ask MLA” feature on the MLA website.
    • Ongoing. Members successfully monitored the Ask MLA email account and responded to queries received. 
  2. Complete review of Ask MLA emails to determine whether standard replies or public FAQ is needed.
    • Work in progress.
  3. Propose/sponsor a session or workshop for MLA 2023 that focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in reference and access services. 
    • Completed. RASS sponsored a session proposal for MLA 2023 that focused on examples of creative outreach that address the non-traditional needs of patrons beyond and outside of their coursework; examples included working with diverse faculty, staff, and students. 
  4. Explore options for developing shared music reference training resources. 
    • Work in progress. Initial queries made to existing resources and platforms to see if training resources would be appropriate. Further planning needed. 

List of Future Goals

  1. Continue to offer responses to queries from the “Ask MLA” feature on the MLA website. Complete review of Ask MLA emails to determine whether standard replies or public FAQ is needed.
    • Goal Area 4: Strengthen Communication; Objective 4.2: Conduct an evaluation of MLA’s methods of external communication.
  2. Explore options for developing shared music reference training resources. 
    • Goal Area 2: Develop and Retain Membership; Objective 2.3: Explore educational and networking opportunities beyond annual and chapter conferences. 
  3. Propose/sponsor session for MLA 2024 to promote discussion around reference and access services issues.
    • Goal Area 2: Develop and Retain Membership; Objective 2.5: Encourage member retention through targeted programs and support for member engagement at all career levels.