Managing Reference Today: New Models and Best Practices

Reference collections and services have changed considerably in the last three decades. We have moved from all services coming from the reference desk to a more fluid environment where users can be served in person, by phone, email, virtual reference/chat, instant messaging, texting, skyping, etc. Collections have changed too– from print collections, microfilm, microfiche and microcards to e-resources and e-books plus e-research collections in institutional archives. Although we see many libraries still providing traditional services, others have begun to move away from this model and try to develop and offer services and collections which will better serve their user population. With technology changing so fast, users expect to communicate with the library in whatever way they choose. They also want to obtain information with little effort on their part. Managing Reference Today: New Models and Practices • highlights newly developed service models that libraries are developing as well as the way they are handling changing reference collections. • describes new ways of providing reference services and new ideas of how to select and manage reference collections. • Identifies the best practices for meeting the needs of current and future library users in academic, special, and public library settings.