Assessing Reference: Using the Wisconsin-Ohio Reference Evaluation Program in an Academic Science Library

The Pennsylvania State University Life Sciences Library conducted the Wisconsin-Ohio Reference Evaluation Program survey in October 2005. The results of the survey indicated that the desk personnel do an average job in fulfilling the library user's expectations. Known-item questions were handled well but non-known questions need additional training to ensure patrons are not receiving too much information. This project raised a number of questions concerning user satisfaction and library type. It is hoped that this article can serve as the baseline for future research in the evaluation of science reference question transactions and patron satisfaction.