Reimagining Library Reference Services When "Everything is Online"

What is it about?

This paper aims to serve as an introduction to the articles in the special theme issue on “reference in the (post)Google age”, outlining some of the challenges and opportunities this new information environment has presented for reference services and introducing some of the creative ways in which librarians are adapting. The paper provides an overview of the reference service issues and models that are discussed in the papers that follow, including various ways of assessing, locating, and staffing services. Specific examples of new reference models and ways of assessing reference services are outlined.

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Why is it important?

Reference services have not been made obsolete by new online search options, and reference librarians are adapting and rethinking their service models in various resourceful ways.