Thumbs up: a new definition of reference Available to Purchase

The purpose of this editorial is to examine the changing nature of the role of reference services, and to work towards a new definition of the term “reference”.

The paper assesses the current situation and looks forward to a new definition of “reference”.

The paper finds that a new definition of “reference” holds great promise.

A definition of “reference” that takes into account the activities of a twenty‐first century reference librarian will serve to advance reference services and, by so doing, will both impact reference librarians' future and preserve and renew the value of reference librarianship.