The all-in-one "Reference reference" you've been waiting for, this invaluable book offers a concise introduction to reference sources and services for a variety of readers, from library staff members who are asked to work in the reference department to managers and others who wish to familiarize themselves with this important area of…

Library users' evolving information needs and their choice of search methods have changed reference work profoundly. Today's reference librarian must work in a whole new way--not only service-focused and businesslike, but even entrepreneurial. Murphy innovatively rethinks the philosophy behind current library reference services in this…

Whether a library's reference collection is large or small, it needs constant attention. Singer's book offers information and insight on best practices for reference collection management, no matter the size, and shows why managing without a plan is a recipe for clutter and confusion. In this very practical guide, reference librarians will learn:…

Thanks in part to technology, the boundaries of library positions are dissolving. It is no longer practical to discuss the profession in terms of traditional library types, and in today's library, the relationship between librarians and technology is stronger than ever. In this informative volume, veteran author Laura Townsend Kane interviews…

There's no shortage of library management books out there--but how many of them actually tackle the little details of day-to-day management, the hard-to-categorize things that slip through the cracks of a larger handbook? "Library Management Tips that Work" does exactly that, addressing dozens of such issues facing library managers, including: (1)…

These proceedings of the Internet Librarian 2001 conference contains 49 papers that cover topics related to the information profession and Internet technologies, including: digital collections online; information architecture; amphibious research skills; identifying, evaluating, and validating cyberguides; development of New California Web Portal;…

Many people are investing these days, but many librarians, especially non-business librarians, are uncomfortable helping patrons with questions on the subject. This reference guide gives librarians the knowledge and confidence to assist patrons in identifying the correct information in a critical but little understood investment area--the bond…

This guide discusses the use of the World Wide Web for library reference service. Part 1, "Ready Reference on the Web: Resources for Patrons," contains chapters on searching and meta-searching the Internet, using the Web to find people, news on the Internet, quality reference resources on the Web, Internet sites for kids, free full-text…

Work sampling is an effective device for testing efficiency in the use of library materials and personnel. An administrator can determine whether circulation or reference librarians are effectively using their time and whether the work flow should be reorganized. Key operations of a sampling should include definition of a problem, identification…

This book is a practical guide to librarians and their administrators who are thinking about or in the early stages of providing virtual reference service. Part 1, "The Decision to Go Virtual," provides a context for thinking about virtual reference, including the benefits and problems, getting in the virtual frame of mind, and shopping…

Emphasizing the importance of the card catalog as a tool for the reference librarian, a unit of instruction was designed to supplement a course in library reference skills. Students who take the course are asked to complete certain requisite readings and to study materials dealing with the parts of the catalog card, filing rules, and assigning…

This guide discusses the essentials of live virtual reference, preparing for virtual reference, and implementing and incorporating virtual reference. Chapter 1, "Understanding Live Virtual Reference," lays out what virtual reference is and how it compares to other forms of reference. Chapter 2, "Offering Live Virtual Reference," presents ten…

This book has three purposes: to provide a perspective for looking at how traditional reference service "fits" in with new trends and issues; to document the myriad ways in which day-to-day library services are being transformed by changes in technology, culture, and staffing; and to offer guidance and advice for evolving reference services to…

This guide is intended for librarians planning to start an information brokerage, whether as an entrepreneur or as a member of a document delivery group in a library. The guide identifies specific skills and relevant characteristics required to establish a successful information brokerage firm and describes a model to assist readers in the process…

The challenges faced by reference and collection development staff have become increasingly complex in recent years, as more and more materials--in a variety of formats--have become available. This book shows reference and collection development librarians how to use the Internet to share information through online conversations and online…