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
Citations Needed: Build Your Wikipedia Skills While Building the World’s Encyclopedia
Webinar / Last Modified: 08 March 2018
Gain an understanding of the inner workings of Wikipedia and learn how to participate in the #1lib1ref campaign to improve the online encyclopedia used by information-seekers around the world.
Librarians Who Wikipedia: Jean King
News / Last Modified: 28 February 2018
When Jean King, an adult reference librarian at West Hempstead Public Library, registered for the Wikipedia + Libraries: Better Together online training course, she'd never edited Wikipedia before. "It's a popular reference that frequently comes...
Wikipedia for Libraries: Preview the Possibilities, Discover the Opportunities
Webinar / Last Modified: 11 January 2018
This webinar highlights how you can use Wikipedia to connect more people to your collections and creatively engage your community members.
The Community Connector: Referring Social Services at the Library
Webinar / Last Modified: 07 December 2017
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.
Beyond the Desk: Resources for Innovative Reference Services
News / Last Modified: 02 September 2017
Library services often begin with a question. Do you have this book? Can you help me find information for my report? Which country is the largest producer of coffee beans? As we grow up and learn, we are taught to ask questions to help us learn new i...
Leaving Fort Ref: Frontiers of Embedded Librarianship
Webinar / Last Modified: 06 June 2017
This webinar explores new approaches to reference that embed the librarian in the community, answering questions at the point of need, and growing community connections.
Libraries Help Patrons Become Financially Empowered Consumers
Webinar / Last Modified: 05 June 2017
In this webinar, learn about the financial education resources you can use with your patrons, made available by the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau.
"How Do I Apply to College?" Helping Patrons Meet Their Higher Education Goals
Webinar / Last Modified: 18 May 2017
A webinar designed to enhance library reference services in support of all types of college-bound students.
The Future of Reference is Outside the Library
News / Last Modified: 04 May 2017
Over the last decade, the fortress-like walls of the library reference desk have been breached in favor of more inviting structures and roving librarians. However, that's not going far enough, according to Jamie LaRue, director of Douglas County (CO)...
Financial Education Tools for Libraries from CFPB
News / Last Modified: 03 May 2017
As you may know, we've been participating in an OpenIDEO challenge related to libraries and financial literacy. We've been learning about a variety of approaches to financial education, and also wanted to be sure libraries are aware of all the fantas...
