"The Teaching of Reference Must Keep Pace": Teaching Sources and Searching in an Evolving Reference Environment

Abstract:Since the advent of the web, libraries have seen a steady decline in the number of questions being asked at the reference desk, especially for ready reference questions requiring brief, factual answers. Reference work has moved away from ready reference questions to emphasize in-depth research consultations, information literacy instruction, and curating online collections and patron guides. As library and information science education evolves to keep pace with the changes in reference work, traditional "sources" assignments in which students seek answers to factual questions do not adequately reflect the work of contemporary reference librarians. At the same time, knowledge of reference sources and search skills are still valued by practitioners. LIS instructors teaching reference courses must develop new learning activities and assignments to help students develop the source evaluation, selection, and search skills needed for contemporary reference work.