As classrooms and universities strive to adapt their instructional methods to an ever progressing technological age, it is imperative that academic libraries also revisit the ways in which reference and instruction services are organized and implemented. Library Reference Services and Information Literacy: Models for Academic Institutions not only advocates for a more intentional integration of reference and instructional services, but it also provides organizational background, staff objectives, and various successes and challenges that have already been experienced by real institutions. This publication is an important reference source for librarians, practitioners, and university leaders who wish to maximize the current utilization of their resources.

With this handy new guidebook, reference luminary Jo Bell Whitlatch outlines practical methods for evaluating and delivering excellent reference service to the technology-savvy library user of today.

Search skills of today bear little resemblance to searches through print publications. Reference service has become much more complex than in the past, and is in a constant state of flux. Learning the skill sets of a worthy reference librarian can be challenging, unending, rewarding, and-- yes, fun.

An Introduction to Reference Services in Academic Libraries is a comprehensive textbook that presents compelling case studies and thought-provoking essays that teach the principles of reference services. Eighteen authorities from private and public academic libraries around the United States offer unique perspectives and solid information in an active learning format that requires students to think and learn. The book provides a stimulating starting point for those learning about planning, managing, and evaluating reference services. Each chapter is thoroughly referenced, and many have charts and activities to help spark student engagement in the learning process. Over 30 tables and figures make complex information easy to access and understand.

"Works of Dr. Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan (S.R. Ranganathan) need no introduction. They are renowned not because they cover certain facet of library and information science, but because they have been written by the father of library science in india, Dr. Ranganathan. These library science classics have been reprinted to make Dr. Ranganathan's work available to the current generation of librarians and for those to come."

This informative volume is filled with valuable insights on the reference librarian's role as a connecting link between information seekers and the resources that provide answers to their questions. The Reference Librarian and Implications of Mediation helps librarians become successful mediators by teaching them the best approaches to providing resolutions or guidance to the appropriate resources. Chapters focusing on reference skills, communication abilities, accuracy in responding to specific inquiries, and sensitivity to various groups such as paraprofessionals and nontraditional patrons teach librarians how to become more effective mediators. This provocative book encourages librarians to go beyond merely providing answers or resources to helping clients better understand the physical surroundings, the social or educational context, and the ethical, political and economic climate in which the process takes place. A broad selection of chapters interpret mediation and explore diverse topics including traditional mediation, the impact of information technologies, the need for a human context, and an increasingly diverse group of library patrons requiring mediation services. The Reference Librarian and Implications of Mediation shows librarians how to develop a full understanding of an inquiry, ferret out what a client really needs, and ultimately pursue an appropriate response. Specific chapters cover a wealth of mediation topics including: a call for a return to client-oriented mediation electronic reference services information paraprofessionals the academic librarian's role in the educational process relationship between composition teachers and reference librarians predicting mediation accuracy from user impressions the influence of a shrinking information economy academic librarians and mediation in controversial scholarly communication

This useful book helps reference librarians understand the information seeking needs and behaviors of the diverse groups of people in the communities they serve. With the increasing diversity of the American population, librarians striving to plan and deliver excellent reference services must enhance their understanding of how best to assist many types of individuals and groups, from children to the elderly. Library Users and Reference Services provides much-needed help in this area, delivering strategies and methods to aid readers in their quest for increasingly effective service for all members of the communities in which they work. Library Users and Reference Services is divided into four sections of chapters which cover a broad range of topics to assist readers in planning and delivering appropriate services. Section One explores customer service, economics of information, and marketing as key concepts useful in studying information needs of specific groups in the population. Section Two focuses on scholars and students in three broad academic disciplines: science, humanities, and social sciences. Section Three covers groups with special characteristics such as age, economic standing, gender, or profession. Section Four discusses evaluation and provides guidance in the use of the most widely accepted measures for assessing reference effectiveness. The book’s final chapter explores redesigning reference services for the future, providing a glimpse of how such services may change. Library Users and Reference Services is a practical guide to help readers understand the many issues related to serving diverse populations in a community. Reference librarians and graduate library school students and faculty will learn more effective ways to help a heterogeneous public with the help of this new book.