The Fifth edition has been thoroughly revised and updated keeping in view the new developments and appearance of new significant reference sources. Some new readings have also been added to bring further readings. This work not only describes the various aspects of reference service such as functions, methods, principles theories, practices, problems, but also provides an overview of available significant reference books, dictionaries, encyclopedias, yearbooks, bibliographies, union catalogues, almanacs, directories, etc.

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, this thoroughly updated 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 provide a solid foundation; the text also offers fresh insight on core issues, including ethics, readers' advisory, information literacy, and other key aspects of reference librarianship;selecting and evaluating reference materials, with strategies for keeping up to date;assessing and improving reference services;guidance on conducting reference interviews with a range of different library users, including children and young adults;a new discussion of reference as programming;important special reference topics such as Google search, 24/7 reference, and virtual reference; anddelivering reference services across multiple platforms As librarians experience a changing climate for all information services professionals, in this book Cassell and Hiremath provide the tools needed to manage the ebb and flow of changing reference services in today's libraries.

Written as a textbook for LIS students taking reference courses, this fully updated and revised seventh edition of Reference and Information Services: An Introduction also serves as a helpful handbook for practitioners to refamiliarize themselves with particular types and formats of sources and to refresh their knowledge on specific service topics. The first section grounds the rest of the textbook with an overview of the foundations of reference and an introduction to the theories, values, and standards that guide reference service. The second section provides an overview of reference services and techniques for service provision, establishing a foundation of knowledge on reference service and extending ethical and social justice perspectives. The third part offers an overview of the information life cycle and dissemination of information, followed by an in-depth examination of information sources by type as well as by broad subject areas. Finally, the concluding section guides the reader through the process of developing and maintaining their own vision of reference practice. This textbook is essential reading for all preservice and working librarians, particularly those concerned with ethical and social justice perspectives on reference work.

Here is a refreshing new book that takes a unique look at the many aspects of reference librarianship. Written by reference librarians for reference librarians, this new volume explores the changing roles of reference services and offers advice and practical ideas to guide librarians through the increasingly tangled maze of duties being thrust upon the reference staff. Although the everyday work of the reference librarian is often taken for granted, these insightful chapters illuminate the essential service performed by the reference librarians as they facilitate access to information for a wide variety of users. Furthermore, this book helps reference librarians face the future by examining the technological and service developments that will challenge their profession. Opportunities for Reference Librarians addresses unique reference problems such as making use of the telephone as an information gathering tool, selecting reference material for the interdisciplinary field of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER), and helping non-law students with legal research. The fascinating anecdotes and encouraging discussions will be invaluable to reference library professionals for years to come. This important book covers a wide variety of topics of interest to reference librarians. Topics related to information systems are examined such as the limitations of end-user online services, and an evaluation of the Library of Congress Information system. Authoritative contributors make recommendations on how to design services to coordinate with the new technology and how to change librarians’roles so they can assist people in using these systems.

This book, first published in 1991, explores the changing roles of reference services and offers advice and practical ideas to guide librarians through the increasingly tangled maze of duties being thrust upon the reference staff. Although the everyday work of the reference librarian is often taken for granted, these insightful chapters illuminate the essential service performed by the reference librarians as they facilitate access to information for a wide variety of users. Furthermore, this book helps reference librarians face the future by examining the technological and service developments that will challenge their profession. It addresses unique reference problems such as making use of the telephone as an information gathering tool, selecting reference material for the interdisciplinary field of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER), and helping non-law students with legal research. Topics related to information systems are examined such as the limitations of end-user online services, and an evaluation of the Library of Congress Information system. Authoritative contributors make recommendations on how to design services to coordinate with the new technology and how to change librarians’ roles so they can assist people in using these systems.

Here is one of the first books to address the problems of serials as they relate to the user, the reference librarian, and the library itself. Opening a crucial dialogue, serials librarians and reference librarians explore ways in which they can work together to make serials more accessible to the user. With this vital new book, public services librarians will gain a better understanding of the unique nature of serials, especially concerning their acquisition and cataloguing, and technical services librarians will gain a clearer view of the problems involved in interpreting the record for the user. Serials and Reference Services provides a wealth of information that will help the cataloguer who must create a record out of a dizzying change of titles, volumes, and frequency; the reference librarian who must interpret the record for the user; the bibliographer who must select titles; the manager who will be viewing the new formats for serials; and the administrator who needs an overview in order to pull disparate services together into a functioning whole. Automation is also explored and finally, a look at the core collection--newspapers, comic books, and poetry magazines--gives an eclectic ending to the volume. Tillie Krieger, Peter Hernon, David C. Heisser, David C. Taylor, and Laura Peritore are among the well-known contributors to the book.

This helpful new book discusses access possibilities and policies with regard to government information. New and impending legislation, information on most frequently used and requested sources, and grant writing are some of the topics covered in the comprehensive chapters. Government Documents and Reference Services helps make sense of technical reports, government regulations, patents, and other difficult areas the librarian has to deal with. Reference and technical librarians will find this an indispensable tool to guide them through the intricacies of government document research.