The Future of Reference

     It may seem as if I plagiarized this title when looking at my works cited, but I literally searched those exact terms for our previous assignment and came across a SLJ article of identical title. And the reason I was investigating this topic was because this module has really got me thinking if print reference work is slowly on it's way to extinction. As I read through each module for this theme and examined the various formats, atlases, dictionaries, handbooks, encyclopedias etc. I began to think how infrequently I purchased these items for our library, and on a bigger scale how outside of my profession I never used physical copies of them ever. And who actually does? If I want to plan a trip I don't go purchase the Lonely Planet book like I did in 2000, I use trip advisor. If I don't know what a word means I look it up on my dictionary app. Why would anyone consult a 2 year old anything when they could find more current information online? So I revisited my first blog theme where I know I discussed print vs. digital and while I still somewhat agree, children do benefit in a variety of ways from tangible, material reference work, if they are never used in adulthood will they become less and less available until they are non-existent? 

 

Photo courtesy of www.talonx.xom

     In the SLJ article also entitled, "What is the Future of Reference," (Verma) some points were discussed that I had not considered before.  One, that physical resources are an equalizer. Even within our own school let alone in the bigger picture, many people, both kids and adults, still do not have personal access to the Internet. And two, that physical copies have shelf life. Albeit maybe a short one, but World Book VP Jon Gregory makes a good point in the article, "When some administrators and librarians have decided to back off print reference and buy online products, four or five years later, budgets are cut and they can no longer buy the online resource. If they had bought print, they’d have some shelf life. You have zero shelf life with 100 percent digital; when it’s cut off, you’ve got 100 percent of nothing" (Verma). 

         I guess it's a question that only time will tell, but hopefully this infographic of an American Forbes study is telling, that when it comes to reading perhaps there is a certain unknown factor or aesthetic, that makes us want to turn pages. 

 

Photo courtesy of http://adrenalineagency.com

 In the meantime, I'll keep shopping for those big books with beautiful pictures, that kids sit in groups to pour over, hoping that the day they're forced to huddle around a screen never comes!

 

Works Cited

Riedling, Ann Marlow, et al. Reference Skills for the School Librarian: Tools and Tips.3rd ed., California, 2013.

Verma, Henrietta. “What Is the Future of Reference?” School Library Journal, 22 Nov. 2013, www.slj.com/2012/06/industry-news/what-is-the-future-of-reference/.