Digital Reference Service in the New Millennium: Planning, Management, and Evaluation (The New Library Series, No. 6) - Softcover

Change, as defined by the dictionary, is about putting on a fresh set of clothes to replace those being worn. Digital Reference Service in the New Millennium is about change. It tells about the latest fashions; talks of managing the new wardrobe; and looks at how the new clothes are fitting. Growing out of the 1999 Harvard conference "Reference in the New Millennium," this volume "focuses both on the theoretical aspects of defining digital reference services in the new millennium, and the evolving service and technical aspects of developing, managing, and evaluating them." Chapters on the Library of Congress Collaborative Digital Reference Services and AskA Services/Virtual Reference Desk networks provide specific examples in planning, managing, and evaluating digital reference service. Intellectual property rights are discussed as well. The conclusion contends that we are facing a "primary knowledge revolution." Beyond pointing out the best resources and functioning as "context experts." the reference librarian in the new millennium will need the "ability to read the situation a user is in and find the right information for that situation." While the topic is prevalent in the current periodical literature, there are no books like Digital Reference Service. A timely and well-presented treatise recommended for all libraries.DJanet Brewer, Murray State Univ. Lib., KY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

"An excellent how-to guide and reference book." -- American Reference Books Annual