A Ready Reference Kit. The Reference Collection: From the Shelf to the Web

Citation

Chandrika Weeraginge, S. (2008), "A Ready Reference Kit. The Reference Collection: From the Shelf to the Web", Library Management, Vol. 29 No. 8/9, pp. 789-790. https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120810917387

This publication has been co‐published simultaneously as “Reference Librarian” Number 91/92 2005. It is evident then that involvement in Reference work and services through a reference collection be those print or electronic based are very important in the library and information environment. Reference services are important to provide relevant and accurate information needed by the clients of libraries. This subtle message is clear in this book while the primary concern of the editor of this compilation of articles is to show the “changing electronic media of reference sources and material”. In his introductory comments Frost confirms and predicts that “in a less than a decade of common use, the internet would become such a popular means of accessing information” for the users and librarians as well, due to the transformation that has taken place throughout from print based collection development to electronic resources in the rapidly changing information world.

This book contains a collection of 16 articles that serves as a fine reference tool for anyone engaged in Library and Information services. The contributions are by professionals who share their wide knowledge and experiences in the field that reflects the importance of electronic reference material and their evolving nature. The book coherently contains topics starting with the library collections in general and the earliest library civilization to the evolving electronic reference sources that enhances the changes in the field. The transformation is clearly given in terms of different types of Libraries, such as Academic, Public and School Libraries. There is a fine range of recommended and important web sites with details for major disciplines such as Science, Medicine, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Business. Right throughout the book we are reminded on the introductory comments that the core purpose of the reference librarian “is to connect the user to the information they need”.

Each paper presents various issues on this theme and facilitates to understand the shift from paper based to electronic information practices. Magaret Landesman describes Reference work in early libraries and the format changes to show how richly the reference collection was nurtured as far back as AD 200 in bound codices and how the development of printing moved the reference books to shelves as printed volumes. She states that there was an impact of automation on printed collections due to the computers, tape loading databases, commercial search services, CD ROMs etc., until the Reference services became available on line and on the World Wide Web.

Gaynor Austen and Carolyn Young describes the changes in Academic Library reference resources in Australia who were “early adopters” of electronic sources. Such transformation of four other English speaking countries due to the opting of librarians to change from personal help reference service to CD ROM formats and to supersede to online access/electronic access to reference sources are discussed. Formation of consortia has been a direct impact of the availability of online reference sources.

In a different perspective Jeane Holba Paucz discloses issues regarding print and electronic reference sources in Public Libraries. The implications of these sources such as user instructions, evaluation and reevaluation of information tools and accessibility are presented. Jackson Maxwell on the other hand examines the “current state of digital versus print reference collections” in School Libraries and the take up of the digital material, it's acceptance, and use.

Apart from librarians and users of electronic sources there is an allusion to Reference Publishing and advices to have policies to ensure the availability and quality of print r sources as well. Stevan W Sowards presents details of a study on “the structure of Ready reference web sites” conducted among librarians from fifty American States to gather design ideas of web sites. He reports that there is an interest in providing web based reference sources to users. Federated search tools is discussed in terms of a system for library users in reference work.

Articles recognize the value of electronic reference sources, however cautions on certain implications in electronic sources such as searching, handling and using electronic resources and Cyberplagiarism. Jennifer R. Sharkey's and F. Bartow Culp's article addresses the problem of plagiarism especially by students together with solutions to such discrepancies. It is reported that the librarians can educate the users about plagiarism and its consequences.

Topping it all an annotated list of free web sites is provided that will help the the librarians and information professionals to progress in the provision of information and research by exploring these web sites.

This book is easy to comprehend and provides a journey through the library field. It serves as a good study manual as well for professionals new to the field and a reference kit for the experienced professional. Students and teachers of Library Science will learn a great deal of factual lessons from this thematic issue.