Reference and Information Services in the 21st Century: An Introduction [Paperback]

Kay Ann Cassell (Author), Uma Hiremath (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1555705634 | ISBN-13: 978-1555705633 | Publication Date: July 1, 2006

This innovative text features an all-new approach that will change the way you think about reference service. The only reference text to identify the top resources in major subject areas and genres, it shows students how to approach the reference query by matching specific types of question to the most appropriate format (when answering questions that require handy facts, for example, go first to ready reference sources; for questions about current events and issues, start with indexes). Guided by an advisory board and a focus group, the authors have achieved an ideal balance between practical elements and guiding principles. This landmark text is sure to be of interest to LIS educators, students, and both novice and experienced reference professionals.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This textbook and ready reference for today's reference-services librarian nicely combines theory and practical application. The authors utilized an advisory board and focus groups as well as their own significant expertise and experience to create a new approach to a basic facet of librarianship. They address the classic practices of using the reference interview to identify the question and instructing individual users to find authoritative answers rather than quantities of information. Next, they zero in on how to answer types of questions, suggesting the best available resources, print and electronic. Other sections discuss such topics as readers'-advisory work, user instruction, assessing reference services, and the impact of technology on reference functions. This volume will be useful to library-school students, current reference practitioners, and library managers. Sally Jane
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

Nicely combines theory and practical application --Booklist

Well-organized and full of meaningful insights and factual information about current resources. --American Reference Books Annual

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 379 pages
• Publisher: Neal-Schuman Publishers (July 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555705634
• ISBN-13: 978-1555705633
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #665,304 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book!, October 17, 2007

By 

Quack Quack - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Reference and Information Services in the 21st Century: An Introduction (Paperback)

I highly recommend this book for all library school students, and for practicing librarians too. The book mentions many of the resources available, and tells you how to use them too.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Reference and Information Services in the 21st Century, September 22, 2007

By 

Lynn Noelle Smith - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reference and Information Services in the 21st Century: An Introduction (Paperback)

This is an instructional book for future reference librarians to learn how to better serve their patrons. It is quite interesting but can be dry in parts. I am using it for a class and have learned much.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful, October 5, 2008

By 

Kristina Grube "Kris" (Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reference and Information Services in the 21st Century: An Introduction (Paperback)

This book is very useful for school. I am using it in a class towards my MLIS