Retaining Relevance:A Vision for Reference Services

Humanities Reference Librarian Interview

June 11, 2007

Mississippi State University

Library Trends

Decrease of reference desk walk-ups Decrease in use of print reference services Increase in reliance on Google and Wikipedia

Retaining Relevance

Physical Space Instruction Outreach

Technology Collaboration Research

Physical Space

Combination help desks Comfy, inviting study space Cafe with television Information Commons

Technology

Virtual Reference Electronic Course Management Presentation Software Online/Interactive Instruction Materials Troubleshooting skills

Instruction

One-on-one instruction Out-of-library presentations Online Subject Guides and Tutorials Orientations/Getting to know the librarians Subject specific instruction sessions Technology classes and workshops

Collaboration

Working with faculty Working with university departments Working with administration

Outreach

Student Fairs Student and Faculty Orientations Friends of the Library Go To Where the Students Are Attend Campus Events

Research

Read It and Write It Students Education New Technology New Ideas Public Services

Credits Carlson, Scott. “Are Reference Desks Dying Out?” The Chronicle of

Higher Education 53, no. 33 (April 20, 2007): 37. Hisle, W. Lee. “Reference Questions in the Library of the Future.” The

Chronicle of Higher Education 52, no. 6 (Sep 30, 2005): 6. Bradford, Jane. “Reference Service in the Digital Age: An Analysis of

Sources Used to Answer Reference Questions.” The Journal of Academic Librarianship 31, no. 3 (May 2005): 263-272.

Lee, Deborah. “Research Consultations: Enhancing Library Research Skills.” The Reference Librarian, no 85 (2004): 169-180.

Barnes, Newkirk and Gail Peyton. “Reaching Out to the Net Generation on Campus: Promoting the MSU Libraries in the Residence Halls.” Public Services Quarterly 2, no. 4 (2006): 47-68.

Stevens, Christy. “Beyond Preaching to the Choir: Information Literacy, Faculty Outreach, and Disciplinary Journals.” The Journal of Academic Librarianship 33, no. 2 (March 2007): 254-267.

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RETAINING RELEVANCE

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