Envisioning the Future of Reference: Trends, Reflections, and Innovations (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781440867378)

Offering a broad overview of consequential changes in the landscape of reference services, this guide also provides practical guidance on how to meet the new challenges they present.

For the past decade, librarians have been lamenting the demise of reference services. Encouraging recent research shows that reference librarians are actually in more demand than ever; however, nearly everything about reference has changed--from technologies, tools, and techniques to models of service.

What are these changes, and how can the profession respond to and prepare for shifting priorities and user needs? In this volume, business librarians Diane Zabel and Lauren Reiter bring together a host of experts to answer these timely questions. Topics range from the education and training of professionals to meeting the needs and wants of employers. Covered are trends in chat reference, research consultations, do-it-yourself reference, tracking trends with user populations, assessment, and data-driven decisions about reference services.

Grounded in the principle that, regardless of the evolutions in service, the user remains at the center of reference, this guide offers readers an exciting look at the future of this important public service.

Author: Diane Zabel
ISBN-10: 1440867372
ISBN-13: 9781440867378
Publisher: Libraries Unlimited
Language: English
Published: 02/25/2020
Pages: 212
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.95lbs
Size: 9.90h x 7.00w x 0.60d

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 09/01/2020 pg. 82
Choice 01/01/2021