Reference Librarians: Then and Now

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Billeter begins her article highlighting the ways that reference has not changed. Some of the ways are people do not know how to ask questions, but they ask them because they need answers. They do not know that libraries provide free reference services not available elsewhere, but those who do know come with a wide range of expectations, knowledge, and understanding of information. (2010, p. 34)

She then proceeds to clarify the ways that reference has changed. For instance, many people do not ask simple questions any more because they find the answers on the Internet. However, on the other hand, the amount of information found on the Web overwhelms many people.

Librarians used to handle information queries differently than in the past.

Then many reference librarians had only the resources of their collection with which to answer questions. They had access to other libraries resources only by ILL

(inter-library loan). Now patrons can access many items via the Internet by means of databases. In the past, some librarians had the means to make long distance calls. Now librarians use fax, email, chat, instant messaging, and cell phones. In fact, some even use teleconferences, podcasts, and other forms of electronic communication.

The library catalogs were on cards in drawers and only featured author, title, and subject. They were accessible only at the library. Now catalogs are online. They are searchable through keyword, author, title, subject, and by using Boolean. Some catalogs even provide links for further research.

In the past, searches for periodicals entailed searching Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature. Now they are accessible instantly on the Net through subscription databases and services. Mo...

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... patrons would learn something new. Everybody would win.

All patrons should have the opportunity to contribute to their library community if possible. Those who are better informed would be great sources for other patrons. A librarian, overworked at a reference desk, I feel, would be

grateful for the help.

Billeter, A. (2010). Reference Hasn't Changed at All, but Reference Has Changed a

Lot. OLA Quarterly, 16(2), 34-37. http://www.olaweb.org

Cisarella, Jill. (2007). You, Me, and Google Makes Three. Welcoming Google into the

Reference Interview. Library Philosophy and Practice, 9(3), 1-8.

Cohen, S. (2006). Thinking and Researching—Don’t Just ‘Google It’. InformationToday, 23 (6), 28-29. http://www.infotoday.com/

Jacsó, P. (2002). Working with, Not Against, Web-Savvy Users. Computers in

Libraries, 22 (1), 50-51. http://www.infotoday.com/cilmag/

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