Document (#20196)

Author

Isaacson, D.

Title

Pleasures and pitfalls that can make or break a reference encounter

Source

Reference librarian. 1998, no.59, S.59-65

Year

1998

Abstract

Expresses a reference librarian's personal view that a successful reference encounter includes the following: effective use of his knowledge of reference sources; proper negotiation of the sometime intricate psychological thicket of the reference interview; and making the user feel positive about the reference department even if no answer was found to a particular question. Discusses examples of encounters which demonstrate the pleasure of reference work when these principles are lived up to and the pitfalls of reference work when they are not

Footnote

Part of an issue devoted to the philosophical ideas underlying reference services

Theme

Informationsdienstleistungen

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