E-Reference Context and Discoverability in Libraries Issues and Concepts

Polanka, Sue

ISBN 10: 1613503083 / ISBN 13: 9781613503089

Published by IGI Global, Hershey, PA, 2012

About this Item

11.20 X 8.90 X 1 inches; 294 pages. Bookseller Inventory # 215153

Bibliographic Details

Title: E-Reference Context and Discoverability in ...

Publisher: IGI Global, Hershey, PA

Publication Date: 2012

Binding: Hardcover

Book Condition:Fine

Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket

About this title

Synopsis:

Without question, reference collections have changed. We are in the midst of a paradigm shift where publishers are focusing on a future with electronic content and full-text interfaces; classic reference sources are being transformed into online interactive products; and the use of print continues to decline. Despite this relentless shift, some libraries cannot afford a complete transformation to e-reference and depend on print and free Web-based sources for added support. Students, however, are turning to search engines and Wikipedia as starting points for their research, leaving vetted content out-of-sight, and consequently, out-of-mind.

E-Reference Context and Discoverability in Libraries: Issues and Concepts consists of over 20 informative chapters by librarians, publishers, and other industry professionals that propose new ideas for reinventing reference collections and interfaces to fit the needs of todays researchers. The chapters examine the issues of reference context and discoverability in school, public, and academic libraries, as well as within the reference publishing community. Librarians, publishers, and those studying library and information science are the books primary audience, but others in the information industry, particularly those with an interest in reference, will find significant value here as well.

About the Author:

Sue Polanka is Head of Reference and Instruction at the Wright State University Libraries in Dayton, OH. In her 20 years of library service, she has experienced the changing reference environment in public, state and academic libraries. She has also served on Booklist's Reference Books Bulletin Editorial Board for over ten years and was Chair from 2007 to 2010. She moderates the award-winning eBook blog, No Shelf Required® and edited the 2011 ALA Editions book of the same name, No Shelf Required: E-Books in Libraries. She was named a Library Journal Mover and Shaker in 2011. Follow her on Twitter @spolanka.