Another snappy offering from the ALA's “Fundamentals series”, this one serving as an introduction for aspiring reference librarians and students with an interest in the “reference function” of libraries. The authoritative author makes some pertinent and wise points in her preface: observing that reference librarians nowadays have to make hard decisions: the efficacy and raison d'être of sizeable reference collections and the reality that for many librarians the situation is that users and staff prefer electronic resources. She sagely remarks that in some libraries the “Legacy Print Collection” may have turned into something of an albatross around the necks of their reference librarians.
She follows on with several helpful chapters for the reference librarian; a useful and succinct chapter on “Defining reference materials” and good coverage of the “tangible” and “virtual” reference materials split and the pros and cons surrounding this important area of practice. Accessing reference stock is well covered and there is a good chapter on policies and the importance of developing an up to date development and marketing policy. Stock selection, budgeting and cooperation with other libraries are covered competently and there is a good, clear chapter on staffing. The section on “weeding” and collection maintenance is well done and there are useful short bibliographies and a helpful set of templates for the reader to use, if needed.
All in all, a useful practical book, succinctly and clearly written, well produced and with a good index. Not too Americanised either, which is always helpful to the reader. A useful introduction for the LIS practitioner and for students who are interested in this growing area of practice.
