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September 29, 2005, 08:17 AM ET
Evolving Roles for Librarians
Today’s reference librarians need IT and pedagogical skills, and institutions are adapting in various ways, says W. Lee Hisle.
"Especially in academic libraries," Mr. Hisle writes, "Google and other search engines and online databases—easily available to students and faculty members via campus networks—have had a significant impact on reference services. It is no exaggeration to say that most student research projects begin with a Google search. Fortunately, reference librarians are usually there to help when the Google search produces 50 million hits. That new way of conducting research has probably led to the widely reported decrease in the number of queries at traditional reference desks. The decline has prompted discussions about the future of reference work and has even convinced some librarians that traditional reference services will soon be obsolete. However, reference librarians report that reference questions now tend to be more complex, albeit fewer in number." (The Chronicle, subscription required)
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