Discusses the evaluation of academic library reference librarians' effectiveness in providing services to patrons using electronic sources based on experiences at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Topics include core technical competencies for subject specialists and reference desk service; the Internet; and methods of evaluation.…

Examines issues of knowledge management within academic libraries and how reference librarians can become more effective as information intermediaries. Describes the common knowledge database (CKDB) developed at Rutgers University's New Brunswick campus to more fully integrate libraries on campus and to facilitate the use and management of…

Discusses telephone reference services in libraries. Topics include characteristics of quality phone reference; policies and guidelines for quality service; a survey of pertinent literature evaluating telephone reference; training; and technology for telephone reference, including cellular and cordless phones, electronic resources, and automated…

Explains how reference, acquisitions, and serials staff at the University of New Mexico library collaborated to develop systematic procedures to improve the management of problematic serials and monographs in the reference department. Serials reference work is discussed and use of the INNOPAC integrated system is described. (Author/LRW)

Summarizes Carol Kuhlthau's research on the information search process. Discusses how Kuhlthau's model of students' information search process (ISP) has been integrated into a course at Arizona State University and is being used experimentally as a training tool in the library's reference services. Selected student responses to research process…

Explains why student-athletes on college and university campuses are chosen as a special group for library instruction outreach programs. Gives a brief history of library instruction to athletes' programs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, emphasizing the collaboration between the academic advisors of the athletes and the instruction…

Proposes a framework for academic libraries to use for the reevaluation of reference and bibliographic instruction services that focuses on student attitudes and the World Wide Web. Discusses the postmodern condition that is characterized by consumerism, superficiality, and knowledge fragmentation, and considers how academic librarians can…

Presents a summary review of 25 years of the literature on user instruction and information literacy. Notes how developments and technology during the last 10 years have affected user instruction and have led to the emergence of information literacy. Demonstrates how the field of user instruction has expanded. Includes bibliographies. (Author/AEF)

Discusses reference service to international students, potential miscommunications, and problems with the three kinds of questions in the reference interview. Notes the attributes of the neutral question and describes how librarians can maximize its effectiveness by making a "statement of intent" that provides a comfortable framework for…

Discusses how the reference staff at Texas A&M University defined basic tools, skills and procedures that new librarians and support staff should know. A list of Subject Baseline Competencies (which is appended) was developed for the reference department, including desk procedures and policies, electronic competencies, and the three major…

Discusses an in-service cross-training program designed for reference desk workers at the University of New Mexico Library. Describes the reference department and provides an overview of cross training. Highlights include training issues, a needs assessment questionnaire, program implementation, and evaluation. Four appendices provide sample…

Discusses training for student assistants in academic libraries, reviews the literature on role playing, and describes "The Reference Game," a role-playing exercise used to train reference student assistants at Baylor University (Texas). Description notes participant roles, preparation, rules of the game, typical questions, and…

Uses qualitative survey data to find patterns and themes among librarians with regard to their attitudes toward the Internet and reference services, and related professional activities. Includes a selection of categorized survey responses, interpretation of the data by the author and suggestions for further research. (Contains 3 references.)…

Discusses implementation of the automated recording of reshelving statistics for print reference materials and the use of these statistics in reference-collection development and management, especially in making acquisitions and weeding decisions, based on experiences at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. (Author/LRW)

In a pilot program for meeting their need for additional reference and instructional personnel, the Zimmerman Library of the University of New Mexico employed and then evaluated two graduate students. Administrators concluded that graduate assistants can make valuable contributions to reference, information, and instructional services if they are…