Reference and Instructional Services for Information Literacy Skills in School Libraries, 3rd Edition

by Scott Lanning

Overview

Being an effective school librarian requires acting as an active instructional partner, an advocate for information literacy and information resources, and a reference librarian. Now in its third edition, this concise book provides you with a solid foundation in providing reference services to students as well as teachers. It details all aspects of providing essential reference services in the context of the AASL Standards, the Common Core State Standards, and the evolving role of today's school librarian.

Author Scott Lanning emphasizes service and instruction while addressing topics such as inquiry, critical thinking, building core reference skills, electronic and Web resources, leadership skills, and virtual reference services. The book begins with chapters that discuss information and the information-seeking process. The following sections cover the provision of reference services, methods for teaching information literacy, the use of electronic resources in general, and the creation of library resources that support reference and instruction. The text concludes with an assessment of the value of reference and instruction services to the school and beyond.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781610696722
Publisher:	ABC-CLIO, Incorporated
Publication date:	05/28/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	170
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Scott Lanning is professor of library media and reference librarian at Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

List of Figures

Preface

Chapter 1: Information

Chapter 2: Information Literacy

Chapter 3: How Students Find Information

Chapter 4: Reference Services and Information Literacy

Chapter 5: Traditional and Contemporary Reference Services

Chapter 6: The Reference Transition

Chapter 7: Reference Resources

Chapter 8: Evaluating Information and Resources

Chapter 9: Finding Answers and Using Information Ethically

Chapter 10: Information Literacy Instruction

Chapter 11: Creating Library Guides and Web Resources

Chapter 12: Searching for Information

Chapter 13: Search Specifics for Catalogs, Databases, and the Web

Chapter 14: Assessment and Evaluation of Reference and Instruction

Bibliography

Index

Editorial Reviews

09/01/2014
Lanning (reference librarian, Southern Utah Univ.) returns as solo author of this text. The second edition, Essential Reference Services for Today's School Media Specialists, was coauthored with John Bryner. Here Lanning offers chapters on how students discover information ("Finding Answers and Using Information Ethically") and information literacy instruction. Each section includes vocabulary lists, discussion questions, and assignments. The author focuses on the role of reference librarians as teachers of information literacy in a rapidly changing arena of research resources. With coverage of chat, text messaging, and social media, the textbook also succeeds in addressing contemporary tools for reference services. New and veteran K-12 school librarians are the target audience, though the realities in the trenches may not match the ideal scenarios presented by the author, especially for school librarians in "failing" schools. A competing volume is Lesley Farmer's Introduction to Reference and Information Services in Today's School Library. VERDICT A handy overview of reference and information literacy services and resources, providing authoratative basics for students as well as insights into new technologies and resources for current practitioners.—Betty J. Glass, Univ. of Nevada Lib., Reno

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