Reference and Information Services in the 21st Century: An Introduction, Second Edition - Softcover

"This 2nd edition again provides a well-rounded grounding in fundamental concepts of reference, an overview of the major resources used in reference services, sections on special topics...and tools to help develop and manage the reference collection and department." --ARBA Online, March 2010

"The text is clear and briskly written conveying an enthusiasm for reference work which can be infectious....undoubtedly contains a great deal of accurate and useful information on individual titles and management of reference services." --Multimedia Information and Technology, February 2010

"...provides a wealth of resources for information professionals to draw on...a worthy addition to the shelves for those engaged in reference services..." --The Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Information and Computer Sciences, December 2009

"The second edition...updates and expands on the excellent foundation provided in the first edition and continues to ground the reader in real-world practices...This book is highly recommended for all individuals seeking a core reference services text. It will be useful not only for students and new reference librarians, but also for seasoned reference librarians to be aware of the latest tools and resources." --J Med Libr Assoc 98(3), July 2010

"...provides a wealth of resources for information professionals to draw on...a worthy addition to the shelves for those engaged in reference services..." --The Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Information and Computer Sciences, December 2009

The second editionâ ¦updates and expands on the excellent foundation provided in the first edition and continues to ground the reader in real-world practicesâ ¦This book is highly recommended for all individuals seeking a core reference services text. It will be useful not only for students and new reference librarians, but also for seasoned reference librarians to be aware of the latest tools and resources. --J Med Libr Assoc 98(3), July 2010

...provides a wealth of resources for information professionals to draw on...a worthy addition to the shelves for those engaged in reference services... --The Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Information and Computer Sciences, December 2009

"The volume is written in a clear, direct, and concise manner, and includes practical examples of the concepts introduced...Given the range of topics covered, this volume would be useful for both information science students as well as practitioners." --The Library Quarterly, October 2010

...provides a wealth of resources for information professionals to draw on...a worthy addition to the shelves for those engaged in reference services... --The Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Information and Computer Sciences, December 2009

Starting out with the premise that “the professional reference librarian must commit to an ongoing understanding of the fundamental concepts, essential resources, search techniques, and managerial tasks inherent to reference,” this book is an updated handbook of library reference work in the U.S. today. The fact that it comes just three years after the first edition is an indication of how fast reference is changing, and there is a new chapter on reference 2.0 tools as well as greater emphasis on virtual reference and free Web sources. All of the lists of resources have been revised and expanded as needed, and there is a new appendix listing “RUSA Outstanding Reference Sources 2005—2009.” A companion Web site (www.neal-schuman.com/reference21st2nd) keeps the content up-to-date. --Susan Awe