This reminds me of when I was in grad school. I was working in reference at what was then the Engineering and Transportation Library. The reference desk was near the entrance and the card catalog and the computers. I was always either helping someone or watching the people around that area. If someone seemed to slow down or look confused, I'd approach with a smile, and ask, "Is there anything you'd like?" or words to that effect. If people said no, I'd retreat with a smile back to the ref desk, but 3 times out of 4, they'd say something like, "Since you're here, yes."

One day, in a reference staff meeting, someone shared the observation that my reference stats were higher than others, and that he attributed this to my "lying in wait" for the patrons. It was a nice pat on the back.

I agree that a sincerely friendly approach when asking the person if he/she needs assistance in finding something in the library often opens up a little discourse (and can provide higher stats in the long run). Often people are hesitant to ask for help. I have also noticed that if you walk over to help one person (at a computer, for example), others are emboldened to ask their questions, too.

Preet sent a slightly frustrated email during the Fall after observing yet another med-student-led tour of prospective medical school applicants. They typically come JUST into the library with their charges, say 25 words or less, and are gone. Preet thought we should jump up and give them something to remember us by.

This relates. Could we not work something out with the med school and the tour guides to be able to say just a few works of welcome when they pop in and maybe give them a pencil or magnet to remember us by. "See you in the Fall -- your home away from Home -- the Health Sciences Libraries of the University of Michigan : url...

We could let one of our students even organize the whole thing -- student to student. Might make a good paper or project on outreach for our SI student.