Reference Skills for the School Library Media Specialists
[1-58383-190-9]

Each type of library—school, public, academic, etc.—has its own unique needs, including how they tackle reference questions and collections. This unique perspective is often lost in professional materials on general reference services for patrons. However, Ann Riedling has taken that uniqueness and made it the focus of this work. The book is divided into five major parts—definition of reference, a review of major reference materials, the art of the reference interview, reference on the Web, and scenarios and examples. In explaining the major reference materials, the author has provided a rationale for materials to be included, guidance for examples of those materials at all levels, and a scope for selecting these materials for purchase. The major addition to this second edition has been online databases and Internet resources. While the author focuses an entire chapter on the Web, she also has infused into the other chapters a “Webliography” of online resources for each major reference area. Instructors of school library reference and collection development courses will find this edition to be a good choice for a textbook. Beginning school library media specialists especially will find this book helpful; however, even those with several years in the field may appreciate the Web resources and the suggested titles to consider. Recommended.
Carl A. Harvey II, Library Media Specialist, North Elementary School,
Noblesville, Indiana
Library Media Connection, October 2005 (Volume 24, Issue 2)