How to Coach Yourself and Others Empowering Coaching And Crisis Interventions | Page 57

This book is in B&W, not color - Print page in Grayscale for Correct view! There are five questions that are central to empowerment coaching: 1. What would a good situation look like? 2. What would need to change? 3. What are the steps necessary to make the change? 4. What help would you need to take these steps? 5. Who could provide you with support as you take these steps? These five questions can be used as the centerpiece of a successful reference interview as well as a successful coaching intervention. The first question, asking for the definition of a good or right situation, may address what the patron expects to get out of the reference session. The obvious assumption is that the good or right situation would be having complete and accurate information to accomplish the intended task. The client survivor, however, might be looking for something in addition to this, such as a sense of empowerment that comes from just having information about the issue and knowing that she is not alone. The second question, concerning desired changes, is also applicable to both the coaching situation and the reference interview. When a patron seeks reference service, it can be assumed that he or she is looking to change something. Changes may include making a research paper better, getting a better job, etc. The client, however, may be looking for an entirely different kind of change, such as getting away from an abusive situation, finding coaching to regain her mental health or finding support from peers. For this reason, the reference interview must be kept as confidential as possible. She might be extremely sensitive to even being seen in a library asking about options. A libr arian should make every effort to get the client into a private area for the reference interview. The third question concerns the steps that are needed to reach the intended “good” situation. This is where the librarian’s research skills are essential. Someone who has been a victim of violence may have no idea what to do and may simply want to know, “What do I do now?” It is recommended that every library investigate services for survivors in the local area and keep a list of services and contact information near the desk, including national or state hotline numbers. The survivor may see the librarian as a kind, helpful professional and try to use them as a coach. At this point, it is important to gently remind the patron that the librarian is not a coach and cannot give advice on how to proceed but will be glad to help her look for information on all of the options. The fourth question involves the kind of help that is needed in order to make the change. A librarian should be able to locate resources that discuss all of the options available. It is very important not to give the patron advice such as “you should go to the police,” but to make sure she has information about all of the options so that she can leave with the necessary tools to make an informed choice. It is a good idea to have some free materials such as pamphlets (a local crisis center may be able to provide these) that the patron can take with her. Free materials that do not need to be returned are an excellent resource for survivors who may have taken a great personal risk to come to the library. The fifth question involves help and support. A survivor of a sexual assault may be asking for help without actually voicing a question. It is a good idea for a librarian to give any patron who asks about sexual assault contact information for a helping resource, such as the number of a rape crisis hotline. Not only can these organizations assist survivors, they can also provide excellent information to researchers. For [email protected] Property of Bookemon, do NOT distribute 57