Table of Contents List of illustrations Preface Ch. 1 Information 1 Ch. 2 Information literacy 9 Ch. 3 Evaluating reference sources 17 Ch. 4 Print reference sources 29 Ch. 5 The reference interview 45 Ch. 6 Library catalogs 55 Ch. 7 Electronic reference sources 63 Ch. 8 Searching the web 77 Ch. 9 Creating electronic library resources 85 Ch. 10 Core curriculum and collaboration 91 Ch. 11 Building a reference collection 95 Ch. 12 Evaluation of reference service 103 Ch. 13 Sharing the reference collection with your school 115 References 119 Index 123.

In Introduction to Reference and Information Services in Today's School Library, one of America's premier school library educators covers the A-Z of both reference and information services for today's library. Lesley Farmer discusses everything from teaching students how to use sources to both in-person and virtual reference service.

This helpful collection of case studies is designed both for the school reference beginner and the experienced professional. Covers all types of schools (elementary, middle, and high schools; public, private, or parochial in urban, suburban, or rural communities) and examines the four basic aspects of reference work in today's school library media center: user instruction, information services, readers services, and the study, selection, and evaluation of reference works.

This unique annotated bibliography is a complete, up-to-date guide to sources of information on library science, covering recent books, monographs, periodicals and websites, and selected works of historical importance.

Students need to be able to distinguish good information from bad. This book gives you the tools to transmit those essential skills to your students. Being an effective school librarian requires acting as an active instructional partner, an advocate for information literacy and information resources, and a reference librarian. Now in its third edition, this concise book provides you with a solid foundation in providing reference services to students as well as teachers. It details all aspects of providing essential reference services in the context of the AASL Standards, the Common Core State Standards, and the evolving role of today's school librarian. Author Scott Lanning emphasizes service and instruction while addressing topics such as inquiry, critical thinking, building core reference skills, electronic and Web resources, leadership skills, and virtual reference services. The book begins with chapters that discuss information and the information-seeking process. The following sections cover the provision of reference services, methods for teaching information literacy, the use of electronic resources in general, and the creation of library resources that support reference and instruction. The text concludes with an assessment of the value of reference and instruction services to the school and beyond.

Reflecting the dramatic changes shaped by rapidly developing technologies over the past six years, this new fourth edition of Reference and Information Services takes the introduction to reference sources and services significantly beyond the content of the first three editions. In Part I, Concepts and Processes, chapters have been revised and updated to reflect new ideas and methods in the provision of reference service in an era when many users have access to the Web. In Part II, Information Sources and Their Use, discussion of each source type has been updated to encompass key resources in print and on the Web, where an increasing number of freely available sources join those purchased or licensed by libraries. A number of new authors are contributors to this new edition, bringing to their chapters their experience as teachers of reference and as practitioners in different types of libraries. Discussions of services in Part I integrate digital reference as appropriate to each topic, such as how to conduct a reference interview online using instant messaging. Boxes interspersed in the text are used to present scenarios for discussion, to highlight key concepts, or to present excerpts from important documents. Discussions of sources in Part II place more emphasis on designing effective search strategies using both print and digital resources. The chapter on selection and evaluation of sources addresses the changing nature of reference collections and how to evaluate new types of sources. Each chapter concludes with an updated list of additional readings to guide further study. A new companion website will provide links to Web-accessible readings and resources as well as additional scenarios for discussion and example search strategies to supplement those presented in the text.