Introduction to Reference and Information Services in Today's School Library

Lesley S. J. Farmer, professor at California State University Long Beach, coordinates the librarianship program. She earned her M.S. in library science at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and received her doctorate in adult education from Temple University. Dr. Farmer is the author of more than twenty books. She was chair of the education section of the Special Libraries Association in 2012, and was the vice president of association relations for the International Association of School Librarianship.

• Chapter 1: What Does Reference and Information Service in Today’s School Look Like?Today’s WorldSidebar: Inventing Reference and Information ServicesDefining TermsReference and Information Services within the School Library ProgramSidebar: Gathering RIS Baseline DataReferencesChapter 2: Determing Your Community’s NeedsEnvironmental ScanUser PopulationsDevelopmental IssuesSpecial PopulationsAdult NeedsSWOT AnalysisConclusionsReferencesChapter 3: Assessing Information BehaviorsInteracting with InformationThe Added Task of Information SeekingIntermediariesYouth’s Information BehaviorsChildren’s Information BehaviorsTeens’ Information BehaviorsEthical Issues in Teens’ Information BehaviorGeneral RIS ImplicationsTheories of Information BehaviorOptimizing Information Seeking StrategiesA Question of Behavior QualityA Note about Information ArchitectureSearching Print ResourcesSearching the World Wide WebSearching Database AggregatorsConsidering Other LiteraciesManipulating InformationSidebar: Constructing QuestionsAssessing Information BehaviorsReferencesChapter 4: Developing Resource CollectionsWhat is a Reference Resource?Profile of the Typical Reference ResourceTypes of Reference SourcesEncyclopediasDictionariesAlmanacs and YearbooksAtlasesHandbooks and ManualsBiographical SourcesGuides to Other SourcesSelecting Reference SourcesGeneric Reference Selection CriteriaSelecting Electronic Reference SourcesFactors in Choosing FormatsSidebar: Humans as Reference SourcesSelection ProcessesSelection StepsSelection ToolsReference Sources Life CycleCore Reference Collection SuggestionsElementaryMiddle SchoolHigh SchoolProfessionalResource SharingReferencesChapter 5: Providing Physical AccessCataloging and OrganizationDigital Reference Resource AccessThe Big Picture about Library PortalsSidebar: The Merits of BrowsingReferencesChapter 6: Conducting Reference InteractionsStandardsLibrarian StandardsReference Service StandardsYouth-Specific StandardsThe Physical and Virtual Context of Reference InteractionInteracting with Populations with Special NeedsPurposeful RIS InteractionTypes of Reference QuestionsReader’s AdvisorySidebar: What is the Real Question?RIS Interactions in Online EnvironmentsOnline Visual InteractionOnline Interactive SkillsCollaborationBasics of CollaborationPartnershipsCollaborative ActivitiesSidebar: Student iSquadsReferencesChapter 7: Providing Reference and Information Services InstructionInformation Literacy and Learning StandardsInstruction to Improve Information BehaviorsSide Bar: Mapping the CurriculumInstructional DesignSide Bar: Research Presentation RubricResourcesInstructional DeliveryTime IssuesSpace IssuesStaffingInstructional MethodStudent ParticipationSide Bar: Learning Activity Collaborative Planning ChecklistDealing with Major Research ProjectsSide Bar: Sample Social Justice Learning ActivityReferencesChapter 8: Curating Reference and Information ServicesWhat is Curation?Packaging InformationPurpose-Specific Information PackagingFormat-Specific Information PackagingDynamic Packaging of InformationBrandingReferencesChapter 9: Dealing with Legal and Ethical IssuesLegal IssuesRIS Ethics and School LibrariansLibrary Position Statements Dealing with EthicsSidebar: Equity in the Library/ Media CenterResearch EthicsTeaching Legal and Ethical Information BehaviorEthics Isn’t EasyReferencesChapter 10: Managing Reference and Information ServicesFacilities for RISRIS Technology IssuesRIS Staffing IssuesRIS Policies and ProceduresRIS FinancesSchool Library Public Relations and MarketingStrategic Planning and AssessmentComparative AssessmentSidebar: RIS Planning GuidePlanning for the FutureReferencesIndexAbout the Author

This school library reference resource is a valuable tool for both current school librarians, as well as for use in school library courses. Farmer argues that the need for school librarians to assist patrons as they work to navigate through the abundance of digital content and information available to them is more crucial than ever. The author examines the reference and information services provided by school libraries in the context of the current digital and information age. School librarians are afforded with the tools and strategies to examine and assess the needs of the information seeker, in addition to helping students find and use the information they need in an efficient and effective manner.