Intro to the Reference Interview

In 703 (basic reference) we studied search strategies first. Then moved to the reference interview. The students were all revved and ready. My first question to the students was: If a patron came to the desk and asked you "Who was Napoleon's father?" what source would you go to? Only once did a student respond in a useful way. How would you respond to me? (Veterans of 703, do you remember the correct response?)

About this blog

On this blog, I plan to reminisce about my experiences working in libraries (off and on, 1957-1973), about my experiences as a library school student (1958-1961, 1965/66, and 1974-1977) and as an LIS faculty member (1977-2003). I'll include examples of search strategies and reference interviews from those years. My former students in reference/information services courses at Carolina will recognize these. I am inviting my former students, and others, to share here as well. Those who are currently employed in libraries are invited to share experiences, and we all can play forecaster about the future of the profession. I am hoping that readers will shake their heads about how things have changed -- or not changed! (Hint: sources have changed and focus is now on electronic search strategies, but the library users today sound much like the people I worked with across the desk! I'm told by former students and colleagues that print reference sources are still used as well, so some of what I taught about print search strategies is still relevant.)