The buzz and the reality: when the rubber hits the bibliographic services road in the University of California and what that means for the rest of us ...: Rethinking how we provide bibliographic services for the University of California

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the “buzz” about the University of California's Bibliographic Services Task Force report Rethinking How We Provide Bibliographic Services for the University of California and begins to explore Task Force findings from a public service perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Members of the University of California's Bibliographic Services Task Force were interviewed about their report published in December 2005, Rethinking How We Provide Bibliographic Services for the University of California.

Findings

Establishes that “search and retrieval” are of primary importance to today's library users, and that the design and delivery of bibliographic services are of equal import to public services librarians.

Practical implications

Informs and stimulates discussion about the value of “search” as service, and reinforces the importance of bibliographic services in today's information marketplace.

Originality/value

Challenges librarians and library workers to think about their roles and responsibilities with regards to the care for and tending of the entire bibliographic information space.

Citation

Barbara Watstein, S. (2006), "The buzz and the reality: when the rubber hits the bibliographic services road in the University of California and what that means for the rest of us ...: Rethinking how we provide bibliographic services for the University of California", Reference Services Review, Vol. 34 No. 2, pp. 193-199. https://doi.org/10.1108/00907320610669434