New Directions in Reference

Pam Bidwell

Library Hi Tech

ISSN: 0737-8831

Article publication date: 11 September 2007

214

Keywords

Citation

Bidwell, P. (2007), "New Directions in Reference", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 25 No. 3, pp. 439-440. https://doi.org/10.1108/07378830710821041

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited


If you subscribe to The Reference Librarian you will already have New Directions in Reference. However, if Haworth's subscription prices are too daunting, buying occasional titles based on need is a cost‐effective alternative, particularly as articles from Haworth's journals rarely appear in library databases in full text.

New Directions examines the changing reference scene. Although reference has been most notably affected by technology (particularly the Internet), New Directions highlights other impacts, including the changing needs of music researchers, and economic constraints that make it difficult to build more than one library in the same location.

Following Haworth's format of articles written by subject experts, this volume covers many relevant issues for the twenty‐first century. The drawback, as with many Haworth publications, is that there is no real attempt to comprehensively examine fundamental themes within modern reference practices – the book is simply a collection of articles by different writers on topics falling within this overall concept.

Nevertheless, the book's ten articles cover an eclectic and interesting range of issues. These include career opportunities in virtual reference, US copyright law and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, self‐service interlibrary loans, changing needs of musical researchers and the decline of the Western music paradigm, handheld computers in medical libraries, Internet access to information from the US Government Printing office, and a user satisfaction survey of email reference.

A fascinating article, “Evolving reference, changing culture” examines the economic necessity of a merged public and university library facility – combining the roles and functions of two different library types. The advantages to the public of increased access to academic resources are simultaneously challenged by the need to explore a collection classified using the LC Classification. Challenges for library staff include balancing the academic library role of instilling information literacy principles into students, while acknowledging the more simple service ethic of public libraries. Although the new library had only just opened when the article was written, the article has many interesting thoughts for anyone considering similar mergers of these library types.

Two other articles are also worthy of comment. “Golden rule reference” considers the concept, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” – a one sentence summary of ALA's RUSA behavioural guidelines. Chad Buckley's discussion of the sensitive treatment of all library users is a “must read” for jaded librarians.

“Reference services in rural libraries” is of interest to small communities in many countries. Reference is often a neglected topic in writings on library services to rural dwellers, but Amanda Standerfer's survey of rural Illinois libraries found that electronic technology has raised library users' expectations of reference service. Her survey also found that technology had seen changes in the purchase and use of printed reference sources, and highlighted the need for effective training of all rural library staff.

New Directions covers some thought‐provoking issues, and is of interest to all reference librarians, particularly in public and academic libraries.

Related articles