Reference and Information Services in the 21st Century ─ An Introduction

The organization of this text/resource for reference librarians and students follows the syllabus of a typical LIS course, covering key concepts, resources, search techniques, and managerial tasks of reference and information services. This revised second edition includes updated material on reference 2.0 tools and virtual reference. In addition to covering print and electronic resources, this edition also covers free Internet sources, in recognition of their ubiquity and low cost. The book emphasizes the real-life progression from the patron's question through the reference interview, search process, resource options, and finally an answer. In the book's largest section, separate chapters are devoted to specific major sources such as encyclopedias; dictionaries; indexes and full-text databases; sources in health, law, and business; government sources; and atlases, maps, and travel guides. Each of these chapters includes sample patron questions and answers, guidelines on collection development, a Top 10 list of recommended resources, a list of free websites, recommendations for further reading, and a bibliography of works cited in the chapter. An appendix lists the Reference and User Services Association's Outstanding Reference sources 2006-2011. A companion website offers amendments and supplements to this book's list of resources. Cassell directs the MLIS Program at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Hiremath is affiliated with the Ames Free Library. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)