Using the Internet As a Reference Tool: A How To-Do-It Manual for Librarians (How to Do It Manuals for Librarians) [Paperback]

Michael P. Sauers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2001 | ISBN-10: 1555704174 | ISBN-13: 978-1555704179 | Edition: 1

Can't find the answers you're looking for? Many librarians are frustrated both by the time it takes to find answers to reference questions online and by the lack of a comprehensive, practical method for quickly evaluating Web sites.

Here is the book that will answer your questions. This clear, easy to use manual shows how to integrate the Internet into day to day reference services with helpful explanations of available tools and evaluation methods, real life examples, and practice exercises.

You'll learn:

>How to dramatically extend your library's ability to provide current, complete, and accurate answers to an amazing array of questions when print sources fail
>When to use and how to evaluate both print and Internet sources
>Strategies for quickly answering ready reference questions using the Internet
>Tips for creating your own "Reference Web Page"
>When to go to an Internet search engine or a directory site and strategies for using them effectively
>How to handle more complex reference questions

To make the book even more useful, descriptions of sites the author has found useful in answering reference questions, including metasites and "online vertical files" are listed. A companion Web site keeps site information up to date.

If you work at a reference desk in any type of library in any capacity, this book is for you!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

The author presents both the challenge and the opportunity provided by the Internet as a reference tool. His objectives include being able to "access, evaluate, and navigate Internet sites with the speed, efficiency, and comfort level" librarians and patrons have enjoyed with print sources. Chapters provide background on the impact of the new technology for reference solutions and offer an excellent comparison of print and Internet resources that will aid in justifying the need for both. Information on creating effective reference strategies and a discussion of search engines and directories are included. The chapter on evaluation of reference resources outlines six points for librarians to consider when adding a print source to the collection and describes how these same factors are considered with Internet sites. Chapter five can be adapted as a teaching tool for teachers and others who need to learn strategies for accessing Internet information. There is also a site listed with links to all the resources included in this book.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Let's get right to the point: I like this book because it's pertinent, proficient, practical, and proven. The question of how we effectively use the Internet as a research tool remains one of the hottest issues in reference services today. An updated, more-focused extension of Shirley Duglin Kennedy's Best Bet Internet: Reference and Research When You Don't Have Time To Fool Around (Professional Media, LJ 9/15/98) and Peter Morville's The Internet Searcher's Handbook (Professional Media, LJ 6/15/96), this guide clearly reflects Sauers's experience and expertise as an Internet trainer for the Colorado-based Biographical Center for Research's Internet and Database Services programs, as well as the author of several training manuals and frequent presenter. Topics from determining when to use print and Internet resources to creating a "Reference Web Page" are presented in an easy-to-understand way and are sequentially organized, focusing most heavily on evaluation of resources and creating effective research strategies. Practice exercises (with answers provided) as well as a publisher's web site are included. We know that practice and experience hone our skills in choosing appropriate search strategies and print resources. Sauers challenges librarians to apply that same proven diligence in learning Internet resources. Appropriate for professional collections in all libraries. Janet Brewer, Murray State Univ. Lib., KY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 143 pages
• Publisher: Neal Schuman Pub; 1 edition (June 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555704174
• ISBN-13: 978-1555704179
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,708,688 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael Sauers is currently the Technology Innovation Librarian for the Nebraska Library Commission in Lincoln, Nebraska and has been training librarians in technology for more than 13 years. He has also been a public library trustee, a bookstore manager for a library friends group, a reference librarian, serials cataloger, technology consultant, and bookseller. He earned his MLS in 1995 from the University at Albany's School of Information Science and Policy. Michael's ninth book, Searching 2.0 was published February 2009. He has also written dozens of articles for various journals and magazines. In his spare time he blogs at travelinlibrarian.info, runs Web sites for authors and historical societies, is vice-chair of the Nebraksa Library Association's Information Technology and Access Round Table, takes many, many photos, and reads about 120 books per year.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A practical, resourceful, highly recommended "how to" guide, November 11, 2001

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Using the Internet As a Reference Tool: A How To-Do-It Manual for Librarians (How to Do It Manuals for Librarians) (Paperback)

Using The Internet As A Reference Tool: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians is a guide written specifically for librarians, and clearly illustrates how the Internet has permanently changed reference services by maximizing the availability of all types of information to previously unimaginable heights. Among the things Using The Internet As A Reference Tool teaches are how to use the Internet to vastly improve any library's ability to provide up-to-date information concerning any number of questions, how to evaluate both print and internet sources, techniques for handling complicated reference questions, and strategies for looking up a quick answer when there is no time to spare. A practical, resourceful, highly recommended "how to" guide.