Reinventing Reference: How Libraries Deliver Value in the Age of Google

by Katie Elson Anderson (Editor), Vibiana Bowman Cvetkovic (Editor)

Uniquely positioned to connect library users to the information they seek, and thus to the wider world, library staff who serve on the front lines of reference have both the power and responsibility to position the library as an institution that remains relevant and responsive. This collection takes a critical look at the overarching trends that affect current library policy and practice regarding the process of delivering information services, and how factors such as public policy, economics, and popular culture will continue to affect those trends in the future. Library leaders and visionaries from across the spectrum of institutions address such topics as

- The history of reference librarianship and how it relates to the current landscape
- Privacy, censorship, and reference ethics
- The effects of the “born digital” library user on the purpose and function of reference
- Strategic challenges for reference in the coming decade
-A reference forecast for 2025

Placing these issues in historical and cultural context, this book offers practical solutions for new paradigms of reference service for all users.

Genres: Nonfiction, Library Science, Professional Development

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Ryan Laferney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This, like all professional anthologies, was an uneven read. I skipped a few chapters that didn't directly pertain to my current job (public library reference librarian) and I agree with other reviewers: that if you have your MLS already then you're probably well-grounded in reference theory, trends, and techniques. With that being said, this book gives a great overview of a contemporary reference philosophy and is a rehash of a basic reference class, from the history of reference work to an examination of current trends. But, I'm not sure how revelatory this book is to professionals entrenched in the field.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book has a very utopian view of technology over all. Two of the chapters made me mad, just because I got the feeling the authors were saying technology will save everything and if you don't embrace it you're just dumb. Other chapters were much more helpful and inspiring. Really reference is about relationships and connecting people, librarians, and information

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know when you read a book and it just inspires you to go out and change everything you do? This is not one of those books. It's a good, solid look at the way reference is evolving in K-12, Academic, public and special libraries. But it did not make me think of new ways to handle my reference activities. In the age of Google, finding meaning as a reference librarian is a new challenge. But those of us in the job know our value and know our function. As one of my librarian friends once said, "Our Google is better than their Google." This book not a bad read by any means, but it's yet another case of preaching to the choir, in my experience.

[Simon]

Reference librarians are educators and trainers helping people to navigate information.

[C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I skimmed some of this book - particularly the later chapters that were more specific. I was most interested in the school library chapter as I work with future elementary education students and am gathering research for reference.

I found the chapter on ethics to be a good read, and some of the additional information about academic libraries to be useful in terms of reviewing what is norm in an updated environment. Overall, this feels like a solid, easy to read resource, looking at current reference both in general and in a variety of library environments.