Reference and related courses

Know & Go: Exploring Government Information

There’s more to government information than just the Government Publishing Office (GPO) and the Federal Depository Library Program. With more and more government information easily available from government websites, students, the public, and information professionals can easily find valuable resources if they just know where to look.  Learn to find bills and statutes from GovInfo.gov, filings from the Supreme Court, great vacation ideas from the National Park Service, and even more.

Know & Go: Social Services for Teens in the Library

Social Services is often a hot topic in the LIS world. However, the conversation often centers around adult services which can be exclusionary or inaccessible for teens under 18. This presentation will highlight some unique challenges that teens face, provide examples of teen-specific social services that we found helpful (especially in an urban public library setting), and look into some larger theoretical questions and frameworks around social work and libraries.

The Essentials: Conducting the Reference Interview

The reference interview is a critical component of effective library service. Whether conducted in person, over the phone, or online, a well-executed reference interview helps ensure that library users receive the information they truly need. This session introduces the essential elements of the reference interview, including communication techniques, question clarification, and strategies for navigating challenging interactions.

Know & Go: Health Literacy in Libraries

Health literacy is obtaining, processing, and understanding basic health information and services. The National Assessment of Adult Literacy indicates that only 12% of Americans have the necessary health literacy skills to meet their needs, including locating health services, understanding drug labels, and following treatment instructions. This session explores reliable consumer health resources and ways to determine the quality and trustworthiness of online health information.

Introduction to Reference Services 4: Legal and Ethical Issues in Reference Services

While offering expert guidance and support across complex information landscapes, library staff also navigate their own legal and ethical responsibilities in the provision of reference services. Detailing the most pressing legal and ethical considerations for reference services - digital literacy, equity of access, patron confidentiality, intellectual freedom, and copyright - library staff can balance their professional responsibilities at the reference desk.

Introduction to Reference Services 3: Reference Resources

While most people are familiar with a dictionary or encyclopedia, knowing when to use the right resource for the right question may still be a mystery – and that doesn’t even cover the more specific uses of handbooks, serials, and databases. With an overview of the most popular reference formats and their uses, this session will help staff connect the right resource to the right questions at the reference desk.

Introduction to Reference Services 2: The Reference Collection

Whether print or digital, users expect a library's reference collection to be ready to address their questions, whether simple or complex. Acquiring and maintaining a reference collection is essential in offering reference services to library users. Learn how to appraise reference resources, develop a sustainable reference collection development policy, and organize and make accessible print and digital resources for users.

Introduction to Reference Services 1: Core Reference Skills

Whether subject experts, novice researchers, or curious learners, library users present staff with a range of information needs. With an overview of skills to address face-to-face and virtual interactions, this session addresses today's library reference transactions. By highlighting common barriers to productive reference interactions and practicing techniques to overcome them, staff will have the confidence to engage in the reference interview.