Reference
Reference services continue to evolve with changing patron needs and with varied information resources and formats. Libraries continue to provide unparalleled reference using traditional and emerging tools, formats and resources. Explore topics such as answering health and legal questions, reaching out beyond the reference desk, and innovations in digital or virtual reference.
Self-paced courses and webinar recordings on this topic are freely available in the WebJunction Course Catalog.
Photo: Austin Kleon, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Most Recently Added
Scams, Fraud and Identity Theft: How Libraries Can Help
Webinar / Last Modified: 15 October 2019
In this webinar, learn about free resources and programming ideas to support patron information needs related to fraud protection.
Perceptions of Digital Reference
Document / Last Modified: 13 September 2019
This paper describes the perceptions of librarians and patrons concerning virtual reference services, paying particular attention to chat reference services.
Online Basic Reference: Updated Course
News / Last Modified: 11 September 2019
Picture this: answering a question for a patron from the comfort of their kitchen table or while one waits to pick up their kids from school. The opportunity and flexibility that online reference service provides makes a positive difference in the li...
The Community Connector: Referring Social Services at the Library
Webinar / Last Modified: 04 September 2019
This webinar, co-hosted with TechSoup for Libraries, explores the library as connector to community social services, using a variety of referral tools and resources.
Wikipedia + Libraries: Health and Medical Information
News / Last Modified: 31 August 2019
WebJunction and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine will present a free, online course for public library staff about health and medical information on Wikipedia.
When public library staff assist patrons seeking information ...
Why Wikipedia Matters for Health and Medical Information
Webinar / Last Modified: 15 August 2019
In this webinar learn about the upcoming online training program Wikipedia + Libraries: Health and Medical Information.
Tackling Patrons' Legal Questions
Document / Last Modified: 18 July 2019
Dealing with library patrons' legal questions can be challenging. Here are some tips and resources for helping you, and your patrons.
My Experience as a Law Librarian
Document / Last Modified: 31 May 2019
A former academic and public librarian offers some tips for legal research and suggests some favorite online legal resources.
Is That Real? A Crash Course in Verifying Online Content
Webinar / Last Modified: 22 May 2019
In this webinar with the News Literacy Project, learn about tools and skills needed to verify the authenticity of user-generated content, and explore ways to share this information with teen and adult patrons.
Crowdsourcing Alternatives to "There Are No Stupid Questions"
News / Last Modified: 09 May 2019
Libraries are a place for finding answers, but first come the questions. Whether working at the reference desk or teaching a class, you've likely had more than a handful of patrons approach you to say, "I have a stupid question." My respons...
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