Editorial

Citation

Watstein, S.B. and Ivins, T. (2019), "Editorial", Reference Services Review, Vol. 47 No. 4, pp. 361-362. https://doi.org/10.1108/RSR-11-2019-098

Something for almost everyone

From library instruction to information literacy, from teaching in libraries to learning in libraries and from student engagement to student success, there’s something informative, interesting or inspiring – or all three – for almost everyone in this issue of Reference Services Review.

Library instruction and information literacy 2018

Readers who find value in keeping up with the emerging trends and pressing issues in library instruction and information literacy will note the annual bibliography as an indispensable resource. An annual tradition since 1996, this 33rd bibliography has been compiled for the first time by Tessa Withorn and her colleagues, bringing a renewed energy and broader scope to this extensive undertaking. The bibliography includes works that explore practice and theory, embrace questioning and reflection and examine commonalities and diversity across the broad range of our work. We encourage deep discourse about promising practices and emerging theories and believe that the annual bibliography creates much-needed opportunities for cross-sector connections, sharing resources and supporting innovation. Download data affirm that the annual bibliography continues to be widely regarded as one of the most important bibliographical sources for this field.

Library Instruction West

Planning for the 15th Library Instruction West in 2020 (LIW20) is underway. If previous LIW conferences are any indication, interest and momentum will build in the months leading up to the conference. The conference theme is justice – “The concept of justice raises more questions than answers: justice for whom, and when? What does justice look like when done well? Is justice something that can ever be achieved, or is it the goal toward which we continually work?”[1] LIW20 will be held from July 22 to 24, 2020, at the University of Washington in Seattle on the unceded Duwamish land.

But we get ahead of ourselves.

Reference Services Review readers are familiar with this self-sustaining regional conference held every other year by a hosting academic institution[2]. Known as “LOEX of the West” prior to 2014, the grassroots conference is dedicated to exploring teaching and learning in libraries – a dedication shared by many of our readers. The journal has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the conference, demonstrated by outreach to conference organizers and presenters, work with presenters interested in sharing their experience and ideas with a wider audience, peer review of conference generated papers and publication of accepted manuscripts.

Hosted by Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colorado, LIW18 (“The Confluence of Inspiration and Adventure”) was held from July 19 to 20, 2018. LIW18 papers were published in Volume 47 Issue 3, and in this issue, we include additional papers by presenters Behney, Korber, Parramore and Meghan Smith.

Student success

Campus conversations about what’s working well (and what needs to improve) to increase student engagement and learning persist. Topics of interest include analysis of student success by discipline or major; the value of predictive modeling to assist in determining which academic behaviors lead to successful and timely degree completion; campus comparisons which can assist in establishing benchmarks and sharing exemplary practices; and retention and graduation rates of students participating in academic programs such as learning communities and first-year experiences. We suggest that, no matter the focus of these conversations, library professionals are important participants in, and key contributors to, these conversations.

Here too we get ahead of ourselves!

Reference Services Review readers who enjoyed “Navigating Student Success: Learning from the Higher Education Landscape” in Volume 47 Issue 3 are familiar with the journal’s commitment to stimulating conversation that will ultimately empower readers to design teaching, service, program and/or policy changes to increase student success. In this issue, Lynn Deeken brings readers the second installment of this curated series, “Charting a Path Forward in Student Success”.

Wrapping up the issue

We have six articles in our general issue. First, Deeken explores the path to student success, while Hervieux et al. provide an in-depth assessment of the training and performance of graduate student workers providing reference services. Hurley et al. present a conceptual piece that introduces the idea of “cultural humility” and possible applications in a library environment and Veach describes an escape room-style game for first-year student orientation sessions. Dali and McNiff explore reading research and practice in academic libraries, and Shiobhan Smith et al. assess postgraduate support services in their New Zealand academic library.

Looking ahead: Volume 48

As we enter the final quarter of 2019, here at Reference Services Review we are looking ahead to 2020 and Volume 48 of the journal.

The year will begin with the special issue “Academic Libraries and the 45th President” as Volume 4 Issue 1, guest-edited by Mary Ellen Spencer (Director of Library Services) of Pellissippi State Community College. Mary Ellen is also a member of our Editorial Advisory Board. Later in the year, Volume 48 Issue 3 will be a special issue on academic libraries and higher education affordability, guest edited by Lydia Bello (Research Services Librarian) and Chris Granatino (Interim Director, Research Services) of Seattle University.

New issues, challenges and opportunities will emerge for libraries in the coming year. We look forward to articles that explore these areas and to providing our readers with scholarly and creative works that are informative, interesting and inspiring.

Notes

1. https://libraryinstructionwest.wordpress.com/cfp/ (accessed 11 August 2019).

2. For a history of the conference see https://libraryinstructionwest.wordpress.com/about/liw-history/ (accessed 11 August 2019).