[Publib] Is the reference Department Dead?

[Bruce Brigell]

There was a conference in Denver this Summer called Reference
Renaissance. This is the intro from the main page:

*****************************************

Rumors of the "death of reference" have been greatly exaggerated!
Reference service now encompasses not just traditional forms such as
telephone, email, and in-person point-of-service, but also Instant
Messaging, Text Messaging (SMS), blogs, wikis, library pages on MySpace
and Facebook, and virtual reference desks in Second Life. 

A Reference Renaissance: Current and Future Trends conference was held
in Denver August 4-5, 2008. The conference explored all aspects of
reference service in a broad range of contexts, including libraries and
information centers, in academic, public, school, corporate, and other
special library environments. The two-day conference incorporated the
multitude of established, emerging, and merging types of reference
service including both traditional and virtual reference. It presented
an opportunity for all reference practitioners and scholars to explore
the rapid growth and changing nature of reference, as an escalating
array of information technologies blend with traditional reference
service to create vibrant hybrids.

***************************************************

Proceedings found at: 

http://www.bcr.org/referencerenaissance/presentations.html

If I had to look at one presentation it would be the keynote by David
Lewis which set the tone for the conference.

I also suggest you read or listen to Joe Janes from the U. of Washington
on the place of reference in the age of Google.  

He talks of how important reference is when the info. really matters &
how we should play to our professional strengths where search engines
fall short.

You can listen to a presentation he gave for the Library of Congress
back in 2003 on Digital Reference for a taste at:

http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/lectures/janes.html

Bruce Brigell
Skokie Public Library

	-----Original Message-----
	From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of rtaus42126 at aol.com
	Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 6:46 PM
	To: publib at webjunction.org
	Subject: [Publib] Is the Rreference Department Dead?
	
	
	My Director informed us that the "word on the street" is that
the Reference Department is not as important as it used to be. Now that
many things can be found on the Internet, people need the Reference
Librarians less and less (morale booster, right?), except for Reader
Advisory. 
	
	I do not agree but want to know what you all think.
	
	Also, can anyone offer suggestions on how they brought (or
bring) seniors and adults into the library (independent of programs).
	
	Thanks to all
	
	Rachel 

	
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