Reference and Information Services: An Introduction

by Kay Ann Cassell, Uma Hiremath

Designed to complement every introductory library reference course, this is the perfect text for students and librarians looking to expand their personal reference knowledge, teaching failsafe methods for identifying important materials by matching specific types of questions to the best available sources, regardless of format. Guided by a national advisory board of educators and practitioners including Eileen Abels, Anita Ondrusek, Marie L. Radford, and Steven Tash, this text expertly keeps up with new technologies and practices while remaining grounded in the basics of reference work. Chapters on fundamental concepts, major reference sources, and special topics in reference provide a solid foundation, plus fresh insight on new issues, including New chapters on ethics, readers' advisory, and reference services for children and young adults Website development and maintenance RSS feeds Social networking Delivering reference services across multiple platformsAs librarians experience a changing climate for all information services professionals, Cassell and Hiremath provide the tools needed to manage the ebb and flow of changing reference services in the 21st century.

Genres: Nonfiction, Textbooks, School, Read For School, Library Science

ebook

Published November 20, 2012

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like most of the textbooks I rate here, I didn’t read it cover to cover, but over the course of this semester, I read most of it, and it was a valuable combination of instruction about reference service and lists of resources to consult for the different questions librarians receive. The fourth edition is fairly recent, and when I compare it to other scholarly research we read in class, and to my 12 years’ experience working in a public library, I think it provides a solid overview and helpful tips for the different types and formats of modern reference service.
I own this on kindle, which worked well for me as a student, but I recommend the print version as an excellent resource to keep at reference desks to provide a quick, easy way to find good sources to help with reference questions. Many of the chapters are much more conducive to this use than as fascinating word-for-word reads.

[Jay Demopoulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best textbooks I’ve ever had to read. I read this for a class on reference services in public libraries and it’s the Ike textbook I can remember where I didn’t hate what I was reading. Even if you’re not going for a MLIS degree, knowing about reference service and how it has evolved over the last hundred or so years is highly interesting. Great book, great class!

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, I count my textbooks as books read in the year. This one is very informative, and I like how the chapters are quick reads. It really feels like I could use it in the future as a librarian, so I'm not sure I'm going to sell it back. I read the 2018, paperback edition.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to reference services. Many resources listed though a few are already out of date.

[Sen]

Adding my grad school textbooks because they're all I have time to read nowadays💀

[Maya Lane DeGala Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this textbook !!

[Emily]

text book for grad school

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of good information here, but I also fell asleep a lot of times while trying to read this.

[Ida]

Textbook. Good info, but really is introductory. If you've worked in libraries for more than a couple of years, you probably know most of it.

[Keke Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

My papers and discussions were enhanced from reading this book! Very enjoyable read this semester!