Using the Internet As a Reference Tool : A How-to-Do-It Manual for Librarians

Can't find the answers you're looking for? Many librarians are frustrated both by the time it takes to find answers to reference questions online and by the lack of a comprehensive, practical method for quickly evaluating Web sites. Here is the book that will answer your questions. This clear, easy to use manual shows how to integrate the Internet into day to day reference services with helpful explanations of available tools and evaluation methods, real life examples, and practice exercises.

You'll

>How to dramatically extend your library's ability to provide current, complete, and accurate answers to an amazing array of questions when print sources fail >When to use and how to evaluate both print and Internet sources >Strategies for quickly answering ready reference questions using the Internet >Tips for creating your own "Reference Web Page" >When to go to an Internet search engine or a directory site and strategies for using them effectively >How to handle more complex reference questions

To make the book even more useful, descriptions of sites the author has found useful in answering reference questions, including metasites and "online vertical files" are listed. A companion Web site keeps site information up to date.

If you work at a reference desk in any type of library in any capacity, this book is for you!