LIS 701 – Fall 2007 Discussion Blog

 In May 1984, William Miller published a comprehensive critique of reference service entitled “What’s Wrong with Reference: Coping with Success and Failure at the Reference Desk” (American Libraries). Some 24 years later, I wish I could say things have improved, but, in fact, they have gotten even worse.

Indeed, the major problem with reference service today remains much as it was in 1984: we still cling to the idea that our mission is to provide a wide array of sources when our real mission ought to be educating users to distinguish between their information wants and needs.

http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6497259.html