Operation Rover.

This article focuses on roving, or rover, librarians who walk around the reference section to help patrons on computers that may need assistance. The concept of a rover librarian, or roving, was established when reference materials went electronic. Patrons began performing tasks in locations further removed from the reference desk. There was concern that patrons would get stuck in online systems and hesitate to approach the desk for assistance, whether out of embarrassment or from fear of losing their spot at the computer. The idea of roving sounds brilliant, but the practice has some shortcomings. These faults are most pronounced in academic libraries; the two most objectionable defects being lack of staff at the reference desk and a decreasing sense of patron privacy. Roving reference is not suited for academic libraries. Most of the patrons are adults and know enough to seek help if help is available in a central, obvious location. Roving can lead to uncomfortable situations for patrons and understaffed reference desks.