Editorial

Citation

Mitchell, E. and Watstein, S.B. (2013), "Editorial", Reference Services Review, Vol. 41 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/RSR-08-2013-0042

Editorial

Article Type: Editorial From: Reference Services Review, Volume 41, Issue 4

The annual selected bibliography on library instruction and information literacy has for many years provided Reference Services Review readers with a quick reference guide to current theory and practice. In the last issue of RSR, “Trends in the Literature on Library Instruction and Information Literacy, 2001-2010,” (by Anna Marie Johnson, Claudine Sproles, and Robert Detmering) reviewed a decade’s worth of publications in the field of information literacy to identify more sweeping changes and directions. In this year’s bibliography, in this issue, the same authors note some new areas of emphasis in the literature: a broadening of the IL conversation with articles published outside the library literature; school libraries struggling with the Common Core Curriculum; an increase in articles on health and medical literacy topics; and more articles describing embedded librarianship. The annual bibliography serves many purposes including: contributing to the knowledge of library and information science professionals; enhancing theory building within and among disciplines; and improving communication about information literacy best practice. We hope the annual bibliography also develops a community of practice among readers and highlights new areas for research.

Other manuscripts in this issue also affirm the evolving role of academic librarians in the academy while at the same time emphasize the complex challenges of engaging the twenty-first century digital learner. Interest in the methods and modes of evaluating patron satisfaction continues unabated. In this issue, Angell takes a closer look at academic library patron satisfaction. The value of specific tools and techniques also continues to be of interest. In this issue, Bottorff focuses on the emerging field of hospitality management; Bravo zeros in on the inherent value of Web courses; and Emanuel explores citation management tools. Similarly, the value of specific service modalities continues to be of interest. Leichner turns his attention to information literacy for German psychology students.

Eleanor Mitchell, Sarah Barbara Watstein