There is a need for a robust research base for reference and information service (RIS), both
for scholarship in the field and for effective decision-making in practice. While a number of …

This study examines reference transaction quantities reported through the Academic Library
Survey of the National Center for Educational Statistics to explore whether, and the extent to …

The questions of whether chat reference service is beneficial enough to users to justify the
costs of offering it, and how valuable it is to users in fulfilling their information needs, have …

Whether or not a librarian appears approachable in public service environments is critical to
providing excellent service, conveying a welcoming space, and encouraging library users to …

The reference library plays a valuable role in a print environment for at least two purposes:
direct ready reference, the seeking or verification of basic facts; and finding contextual …

The history of the public library is long and rich, and continues to reflect this institution's
initial mission: to respond to the needs of an evolving democratic society. From its early days …

More an art than a science, the reference interview requires not only knowing a specific set
of skills, but also how to apply those skills in an ever-changing world. Good reference …

This study explores the phenomenon of reference work from the perspective of practitioners.
The objectives are to analyze in-depth the attitudes, values, beliefs, stories, and thoughts of …

The future of reference: the intersection of information resources, technology and users |
Emerald Insight Books and journals Case studies Expert Briefings Open Access Publish with …

This study investigated the skill development of academic reference librarians. It has been
assumed that skill develops over time through experience, yet workplace competencies are …