Module 1

From SLNSW

Reference and information services are valuable community services provided by New South Wales libraries. A necessary part of learning to do reference work is understanding what it is and why it's valuable.

What you will learn in module 1

• What are reference and information services and why are they important?

• What are the information needs of your community and of individuals who use your library?

• Do clients understand what is available at libraries or know how to ask for the information they really need?

Module 1 provides an overview and a professional context for learning reference process skills. If you already have reference experience ask your supervisor if you should start with module 2.

What's new

A current catchphrase is go where the clients are. New technologies - and new generations - create new demands for mobile services such as developing library blogs or Twitter accounts to promote services, using wiki software to involve users in creating web site content, creating webcasts/podcasts, working to integrate the catalogue with other online systems for seamless information delivery and subscribing to rss feeds to keep up with the latest concepts.

These technologies are part of library 2.0 - a term describing use in libraries of web 2.0, the second phase of development of the world wide web. The new wave of web technologies are primarily collaborative.

Many library patrons are dedicated to online communities for work, recreation, and sharing all aspects of life. Patrons no longer rely on big publishers and news corporations for information needs. Libraries should consider the advantages of the social aspect of these new internet applications when planning, delivering, and marketing reference services.