The Reference Interview: Theories and Practice

The reference librarian's task is to translate the patron's question into one that can be answered with the library's resources. The first element of that task is to know what the patron wants; the second is to know what resources the library has and how to use them. Reference librarians must learn continuously throughout their careers, both because new resources become available, but also because patrons present questions requiring new resources. This article will focus on how to determine what kind of information the patron needs through the reference interview.

Volume 15, Number 3: September/October 2009

Page 2 The Vice Provost for University Libraries contends the library’s new organizational structure, which aligns with the University’s Academic Plan, will improve services to users. Page 3 UConn alumna and former UConn librarian Nancy Mattoon Kline ’59 pledges seed money to establish the Earl and Dora Mattoon Ward Fund for Human Rights Photojournalism Collections at the Dodd Research Center. Page 5 The new director of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies traces its 35 year history and future plans.

The Adjunct Life

The author describes her experiences as a librarian and an adjunct professor at the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Simmons College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. She enjoys teaching students about library science, and loves her job. She says it can be difficult balancing two jobs, but that the reward of helping create new librarians makes it worth it. It also helps her keep her own skills current.