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

Students come to the school library every day with questions ranging from “How many people live in China?” to “I need to find out how the Sun began for my science paper.” Helping students find the answers to their questions is one of the most important responsibilities school librarians have. In Introduction to Reference and Information Services in Today's School Library, one of America’s premier school library educators covers the A-Z of both reference and information services for today’s library. Everything from teaching students how to use sources to both in-person and virtual reference service is covered. A key feature of the text is an annotated bibliography of core print and electronic sources for elementary, middle, and high school collections. Yes, reference and information services are vital library functions in the digital age. Even students who appear to be tech savvy have trouble finding the right information efficiently - and knowing what to do with it. This book examines information needs and behaviors, and provides strategies for assessing and meeting the informational needs of the school community. The book also addresses the conditions for optimum service: physical access (including virtual access), effective interaction and collaboration, instructional design, and systematic planning. Newer issues such as embedded librarianship, curation,collective intelligence, and web 2.0 intellectual property are also addressed. This book introduces the entering professional, and updates practitioners, to current standards and useful strategies.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: What Does Reference and Information Service in Today’s School Look Like? Today’s World Sidebar: Inventing Reference and Information Services Defining Terms Reference and Information Services within the School Library Program Sidebar: Gathering RIS Baseline Data References Chapter 2: Determing Your Community’s Needs Environmental Scan User Populations Developmental Issues Special Populations Adult Needs SWOT Analysis Conclusions References Chapter 3: Assessing Information Behaviors Interacting with Information The Added Task of Information Seeking Intermediaries Youth’s Information Behaviors Children’s Information Behaviors Teens’ Information Behaviors Ethical Issues in Teens’ Information Behavior General RIS Implications Theories of Information Behavior Optimizing Information Seeking Strategies A Question of Behavior Quality A Note about Information Architecture Searching Print Resources Searching the World Wide Web Searching Database Aggregators Considering Other Literacies Manipulating Information Sidebar: Constructing Questions Assessing Information Behaviors References Chapter 4: Developing Resource Collections What is a Reference Resource? Profile of the Typical Reference Resource Types of Reference Sources Encyclopedias Dictionaries Almanacs and Yearbooks Atlases Handbooks and Manuals Biographical Sources Guides to Other Sources Selecting Reference Sources Generic Reference Selection Criteria Selecting Electronic Reference Sources Factors in Choosing Formats Sidebar: Humans as Reference Sources Selection Processes Selection Steps Selection Tools Reference Sources Life Cycle Core Reference Collection Suggestions Elementary Middle School High School Professional Resource Sharing References Chapter 5: Providing Physical Access Cataloging and Organization Digital Reference Resource Access The Big Picture about Library Portals Sidebar: The Merits of Browsing References Chapter 6: Conducting Reference Interactions Standards Librarian Standards Reference Service Standards Youth-Specific Standards The Physical and Virtual Context of Reference Interaction Interacting with Populations with Special Needs Purposeful RIS Interaction Types of Reference Questions Reader’s Advisory Sidebar: What is the Real Question? RIS Interactions in Online Environments Online Visual Interaction Online Interactive Skills Collaboration Basics of Collaboration Partnerships Collaborative Activities Sidebar: Student iSquads References Chapter 7: Providing Reference and Information Services Instruction Information Literacy and Learning Standards Instruction to Improve Information Behaviors Side Bar: Mapping the Curriculum Instructional Design Side Bar: Research Presentation Rubric Resources Instructional Delivery Time Issues Space Issues Staffing Instructional Method Student Participation Side Bar: Learning Activity Collaborative Planning Checklist Dealing with Major Research Projects Side Bar: Sample Social Justice Learning Activity References Chapter 8: Curating Reference and Information Services What is Curation? Packaging Information Purpose-Specific Information Packaging Format-Specific Information Packaging Dynamic Packaging of Information Branding References Chapter 9: Dealing with Legal and Ethical Issues Legal Issues RIS Ethics and School Librarians Library Position Statements Dealing with Ethics Sidebar: Equity in the Library/ Media Center Research Ethics Teaching Legal and Ethical Information Behavior Ethics Isn’t Easy References Chapter 10: Managing Reference and Information Services Facilities for RIS RIS Technology Issues RIS Staffing Issues RIS Policies and Procedures RIS Finances School Library Public Relations and Marketing Strategic Planning and Assessment Comparative Assessment Sidebar: RIS Planning Guide Planning for the Future References Index About the Author

About the Author :
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.

Review :
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. Authored by the coordinator of the librarianship program at California State University Long Beach, this work is geared specifically to librarians and media specialists working in the K-12 setting, as well as children’s librarians in public libraries. . . .The individual bibliographies in the chapters can be used separately in classes for future school media specialists, while the compiled bibliography for the book as a whole at the end serves as an excellent resource for future needs. The index helps readers to find specific areas of needed information as well. This volume describes library reference and information services in schools in the context of the current digital age, emerging technologies, informational needs, and students. It discusses information, information seekers, and the role of school librarians in providing these services, then specific aspects: determining the school's needs, what can be provided with the existing resources, and what can be added; assessing information behaviors and techniques for researching and retrieving information from print, nonprint, and digital resources; developing resource collections, criteria for specific formats and populations, and core resources at different school levels; providing access, including arranging, cataloging, virtual access, and disability requirements; standards and strategies for conducting face-to-face and virtual reference interactions, as well as consortia and outsourced digital reference services; providing reference and information services instruction, including information literacy standards, instructional design, different modes of instruction, and embedding instruction into the curriculum; selecting and organizing services, and content and format issues; dealing with legal and ethical issues; and managing services and strategic planning. Introduction to Reference and Information Services in Today’s School Libraryis very suitable for courses that prepare students for work in school libraries. The writing style is very clear and students will find the book accessible. Everything a new school librarian needs to know is in this book.