Reference Renaissance: Current and Future Trends

by American Library Association

Overview

This collection shares experts' best practices, forward-looking models, and advice on new developments in virtual reference. Chapter authors discuss the building of consortia, motivational and coaching techniques for staff, instant messaging options, creation of subject-specific taxonomies, interpersonal communications improvement, methods of assessment, and more. A special section of the book introduces the all-new core competencies and standards of the Digital Reference Education Initiative-an IMLS-funded project to compile training tools from digital reference educators and practitioners. Each chapter is based on a cutting-edge conference presentation and features both practical guidance and the latest thinking about virtual reference work in libraries.

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Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781555706807
Publisher:	American Library Association
Publication date:	09/01/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	330
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.69(d)

Table of Contents

List of Tables, Figures, and Appendixes ix

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction Marie L. Radford R. David Lankes xv

Part I The State of Reference Services: An Overview

Reference in the Age of Wikipedia, or Not David W. Lewis Keynote Speaker 3

Theory Meets Practice: Educators and Directors Talk Plenary Panel 17

Plenary Introduction 17

Remarks R. David Lankes 17

Remarks Carla J. Stoffle 21

Remarks James LaRue 28

Remarks Marie L. Radford 34

Part II What Research Tells Us about Reference

Section II.1 Virtual Reference 39

1 Getting Better All the Time: Improving Communication and Accuracy in Virtual Reference Marie L. Radford Lynn Silipigni Connaway 39

2 Balance of Power and Negotiation of Meaning in Virtual Reference Learning Environments Mary Kickham-Samy 55

3 Giving Users Options for Chat Reference: Effects of QuestionPoint's Instant Message Widget on Chat Traffic Virginia Cole 71

Section II.2 Approaches, Values, and Philosophy of Reference Services 81

4 Unconscious Cognition in the Genesis of Reference Queries Glynn Harmon Lynn Westbrook 81

5 Systems-Centered versus User-Centered Librarianship: A Cognitive Sociological View Hannah Kwon 99

6 Reference Librarians' Personal Theories of Practice: A New Approach to Studying Reference Service Amy VanScoy 115

Section II.3 Innovative Service Models 129

7 New Route to an Old Resource: Facilitating Access to Library Research Guides for the Self-Serve Generation Stephanie Alexander Jennifer Gerke Kathryn Lage 129

8 Meeting Users' Needs through New Reference Service Models Kay Ann Cassell 153

Part III Reference in Action: Reports from the Field

Section III.1 Virtual Reference 163

9 Apples and Oranges: Creating a Hybrid Virtual Reference Service with Proprietary Chat Reference Software and Free Instant Messaging Services Lorrie Evans Nina McHale Karen Sobel 163

10 California's AskNow Law Librarian Service Ralph Stahlberg Mary Pinard 175

11 Expanding Service and Enhancing Learning: Preliminary Report on a Novel Virtual Reference Collaboration Andrea Wright Feili Tu 183

Section III.2 Search Engines and Virtual Tools 203

12 You Virtually Can't Miss Us: Harnessing Virtual Tools to Enhance the Quality of Our Reference Services Judy Ng Ivy Lee Huey Shin Yit Chin Chuan 203

13 Google 2.0: Benefits and Burdens Wayne Bivens-Tatum 215

14 Stayin' Alive in the Google Age: Adding Custom Search Engines for Better Internet Results Lilia Murray 227

Section III.3 Innovative Service Models and Marketing 239

15 Innovations from the Inside Out Lisa A. Ancelet Lorin Flores Fisher 239

16 Neoreference: Looking for New Models in Response to Disjunctive Change Susan Beatty Helen Clarke 249

17 Drawing in the Community for Reference Services at Wilkinson Public Library in Telluride, Colorado Sarah Lawton 261

18 You Bought It, Now Sell It: Creating a Reference Renaissance in the Public Library by Marketing Collections and Services Bernadine Goldman Lizzie Eastwood Karen Long 269

Section III.4 Staff Development and Training 279

19 Utilizing New Staff Training Initiatives to Develop and Implement Reference Competencies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Libraries Victoria Nozero Sidney Lowe 279

20 Reference Training through a Co-mentoring program Louise Klusek Christopher Tuthill 287

About the Editors and Contributors 299

Index 309

Editorial Reviews

These 22 essays are all based on (and updated from) presentations given at the August 2008 Reference Renaissance Conference by 38 international scholars. Separated into three parts, the work begins with an overview of the state of reference services. The next part is dedicated to what research tells us about reference—virtual reference; approaches, values, and philosophy of reference service; and innovative service models. The last part covers reference in action with reports from the field, sorted into four subsections: virtual reference, search engines and tools, innovative service models and marketing, and staff development and training. Containing images, tables, and charts, this work reads as any conference proceedings might read when the full presentations are included. VERDICT Exploring the growth and changing nature of reference—and technologies and methods by which to provide reference—this volume will benefit any librarian or future librarian seeking information on changes in reference services, both current and projected.—Sara Rofofsky Marcus, Queensborough Community Coll. Lib., Bayside, NY

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