This paper takes a pragmatic practitioner’s view of the future of reference. It discusses five issues that need to be addressed for reference to advance logically: designing the right systems; keeping a local focus on user needs; getting a realistic perspective on library instruction; acknowledging the paradigm shift in reference question complexity; and the public relations aspects of reference services. Emphasis is placed on using technology as a tool to gain our ends, rather than employing it simply as a new toy and an end in itself.
These methods are proposed for use by database searchers in structuring online search sessions. The goal is to minimize the negative effects on interlibrary loan operations of online services. Strategies discussed include: forms management, management of printed search results, and the instruction of patrons.
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