Reference and Information Services: An Introduction

The authors have tentatively agreed to a 4th edition of this bestselling textbook. I have given them a list of instructors who are currently using the third edition in their classes, and Kay is going to meet with a few at ALISE next week. I will also be meeting with her, and while the exact revision plan has not been drawn up, I would like to offer her an advance contract at our meeting to get this firmed up. Most of the faculty advisory board from the 3rd edition will be returning for this edition; we hope to substitute/add one or two fresh sets of eyes. Given the success of the previous two editions, I don't think this is much of a risk.From the third edition (213):Designed to complement every introductory library reference course, this is the perfect text for students and librarians looking to expand their personal reference knowledge, teaching failsafe methods for identifying important materials by matching specific types of questions to the best available sources, regardless of format. Guided by a national advisory board of educators and practitioners including Eileen Abels, Anita Ondrusek, Marie L. Radford, and Steven Tash, this text expertly keeps up with new technologies and practices while remaining grounded in the basics of reference work. Chapters on fundamental concepts, major reference sources, and special topics in reference provide a solid foundation, plus fresh insight on new issues, includingNew chapters on ethics, readers’ advisory, and reference services for children and young adultsWebsite development and maintenanceRSS feedsSocial networkingDelivering reference services across multiple platformsAs librarians experience a changing climate for all information services professionals, Cassell and Hiremath provide the tools needed to manage the ebb and flow of changing reference services in the 21st century.