Rethinking Reference: Consistent Values, New Methods, and Different Tools

The core duties of the reference librarian inherently mandate that the work environment is not unlike a kaleidoscope: Students and faculty revolve within and around the library, and reference and public services workers do the same; every move temporarily redesigning the library, its collections, and even its very role on campus into something (and then something else) that was previously unimaginable. Whether reference librarians consider their ideologies purist, progressive, or a mixture of the two, plans for continuous improvement and/or expansion of reference services should begin with a visit to the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) Web page. Having a broad understanding of what reference and information services means and how such services impact communities are of paramount importance, and the values of public services librarianship--customer service, discretion, knowledge of resources, privacy protection, and providing access to information--have not changed. At the same time, tools and aids highlighted in this column (including those related to instruction, collection development, and time management) directly enhance and improve the quality of services that are created by these values, and are only a few of many that have been created and are applicable for use in the traditional duties and technology-oriented reference interactions in modern librarianship.