Evolution in Reference and Information Services: The Impact of the Internet

Citation

Meaden, K. (2003), "Evolution in Reference and Information Services: The Impact of the Internet", New Library World, Vol. 104 No. 10, pp. 441-442. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074800310504384

In recent years, librarians have been forced to accept that, no matter how much user education is provided, customers are more likely to use Google than any of the quality, subscription databases to which their Library service subscribes. Evolution in Reference and Information Services provides practical advice on how to cope in this new Internet information environment through a series of relevant case studies and discussions. After a brief history of reference services, charting their general development from 1930 to 2000, the book then focuses on four main issues currently facing electronic information services: teaching and training, electronic services, evaluation and analysis, and information technology management.

The issues are covered in a series of 12 chapters written by a number of academic librarians, and are dealt with as challenges in the present context without theorising on possible future circumstances. For example, it is recognised that the rise of electronic services has transformed the traditional role of the Librarian, who is now expected to possess teaching skills and to adapt accordingly. The relevant chapters cover the introduction of Internet training into a corporate environment and also provide useful tips for how to engage undergraduate students in the training process … and what to avoid!

Librarians are experiencing an increase in the number of enquiries relating to hardware and software problems and therefore are having to become masters in IT management as well. The book consequently covers issues such as managing library computer labs and equipment, the evaluation and workstations and advice on the most effective way of implementing technological change.

There are also a number of useful chapters on issues such as linking to Web sites and how to evaluate those sites before making them accessible to customers, improving the service to distance learners via the use of electronic resources, and the need for marketing of the library service in order to reach customers in a virtual environment.

The book is of practical use to library services in any sector, as academic, public, health, government, corporate and special libraries are all covered within the chapters. Although it is of particular relevance to reference and electronic services librarians, many of the chapters will also be interesting to information and library management students in their discovery of current trends and challenges in these fields.