Written as a textbook for LIS students taking reference courses, this fully updated and revised seventh edition of Reference and Information Services: An Introduction also serves as a helpful handbook for practitioners to refamiliarize themselves with particular types and formats of sources and to refresh their knowledge on specific service topics.The first section grounds the rest of the textbook with an overview of the foundations of reference and an introduction to the theories, values, and standards that guide reference service. The second section provides an overview of reference services and techniques for service provision, establishing a foundation of knowledge on reference service and extending ethical and social justice perspectives. The third part offers an overview of the information life cycle and dissemination of information, followed by an in-depth examination of information sources by type as well as by broad subject areas. Finally, the concluding section guides the reader through the process of developing and maintaining their own vision of reference practice.This textbook is essential reading for all preservice and working librarians, particularly those concerned with ethical and social justice perspectives on reference work.

Conscious integration of critical theory and social justice perspectives offer critical reflection on the standards and practices of the field and encourage readers to consider alternate perspectives

Part One: Introduction to Reference Work1. Introduction2. Ethics3. Services for Diverse Populations4. Services for ChildrenPart Two: Reference Services5. Models of Reference6. Reference Interview7. Instruction8. Outreach and Marketing9. Challenges in ReferencePart Three: Sources and Searching10. Introduction to Information Creation11. Selection and Acquisition of Sources12. Search Strategies13. Ready Reference14. Bibliographic Tools15. Indexes and Abstracts16. News Sources17. Geographical Sources18. Biographical and Genealogical Sources19. Government Information20. Statistics Sources21. Legal Sources22. Health Information Sources23. Business Sources24. Primary and Archival Sources25. Reader's Advisory SourcesPart Four: Looking Forward26. Looking ForwardIndex