Research Services
The library utilizes Springshare’s LibAnswers with Reference Analytics to track patron interactions/transactions. The software allows library staff to track customer service questions with precision. This quarter there were 406 transactions across all library departments, 362 of which were from VDOT personnel, of which 116 were from VTRC researchers. As the pandemic started, reference transactions trended downward due to unprecedented disruptions for VDOT. As we near the 2-year mark, we've seen a strong recovery in terms of reference transactions in a general sense. However, we've noticed an increase in inquiries from Virginia residents, members of other Virginia state agencies and other "external" researchers and an almost complete halt to interactions with UVA faculty and students. This was the 3rd consecutive quarter of "above average" requests for literature searches by VDOT employees. We delivered 5 searches this quarter.
