Ohio Reference
Excellence
|
Module  Overview
Ohio Reference Excellence
Reference is a valuable community service provided by Ohio libraries.
A necessary part of learning to do reference work is
understanding what it is and why it's valuable.
What You Will Learn in Module 1
What is reference and why is it important? What are the
information needs of your community and of individuals who use your library? Do users
understand what's available at libraries or know how to ask for the information they
really need? Module 1 provides an overview and a professional context for learning
reference process skills. (If you already have reference experience, ask your supervisor
if you should start with Module 2.)
What's New? Library 2.0 and
Virtual Reference
What's new? A current catchphrase is "Go where
the users are." New technologies - and new generations - create new demands
for mobile services such as
developing library blogs to promote services, using wiki software to involve
users in creating web site content, creating webcasts (Podcasts), working to
integrate the catalog with other online systems for seamless information
delivery, and subscribing to RSS feeds to keep up with the latest concepts. These technologies are part of Library 2.0, a term
describing use in libraries of Web 2.0, the second phase of development of
the World Wide Web.
The new wave of web technologies are primarily
collaborative. Many library users are dedicated to online communities for
work, recreation, and sharing all aspects of life. Users no longer rely on
big publishers and news corporations for information needs. Libraries should
consider the advantages of the social aspect of these new Internet
applications when planning, delivering, and marketing reference services.
What is reference?
|
More than half of Americans visit libraries! Young generations most likely to visit for problem solving.
Results of a Pew Internet & American Life survey "challenge the assumption that libraries are losing relevance in the internet age. Libraries drew visits by more than half of Americans (53%) in the past year for all kinds of purposes."
"Young adults in tech-loving Generation Y (age 18-30) led the pack. Compared to their elders, Gen Y members were the most likely to use libraries for problem-solving information and in general patronage for any purpose. Furthermore, it is young adults who are the most likely to say they will use libraries in the future when they encounter problems: 40% of Gen Y said they would do that, compared with 20% of those above age 30 who say they would go to a library." (Report of IMLS-funded project with University of Illinois -Urbana-Champaign and the Pew Internet & American Life, December 2007)
Before you start, talk with your supervisor. The information about
completing project requirements is in Supervisor Tips.
Warren-Trumbull County Public Library
|
