Reference Work
Section

Strategic Plan
2004-2005

SPANISH | FRENCH

Mission

The Reference Work Section addresses all aspects of reference work, in all types of libraries, in all regions of the world with emphasis on unrestricted availability of information. The Section aims at bridging the gap between the physical and the digital library, to promote life-long learning and information literacy in all aspects of the knowledge sharing process, and to support library staff around the world with standards and guidelines for reference service.

1. User-centered reference services
2. Organization and staffing of reference services
3. Ethics of high quality service
4. Provision of high quality service
5. Impact of the digital environment on reference services
6. Reference collections in a digital world
7. Continuing education and training of library staff
8. Marketing/Visibility of library reference services
9. An information forum on the nature of reference work in different parts of the world
10. The democracy-building role of reference services

Goals

(Professional priorities: a, d, f, g, j, k)

Presidents theme: Advocacy, Partnership

Actions

1.1 Examine the state-of-the-art of reference services, organization and staffing in countries around the world
1.2 Investigate the impact of the digital environment on reference services
1.3 Explore opportunities for marketing reference services
1.4 Seek partners for collaborative initiatives within IFLA and with other appropriate international, national and regional organizations

(Professional priorities: c, e, g, h)

Presidents theme: Advocacy, Continuing professional development

Actions

2.1. Review best practices on how libraries around the world achieve user-centred reference services
2.2. Begin a collection of regional or country reports on outstanding user-centered reference services, with a view to eventually making the results publicly available
2.3. Investigate sources of funding from interested foundations for the promotion of reference services to meet specific user needs

(Professional priorities: a, b, g, h, i, k)

Presidents theme: Advocacy, Continuing professional development

Actions

3.1. Evaluate printed library collections and digital materials as resources for reference work
3.2. Explore guidelines and standards for the ethics of library reference services
3.3. Investigate standards, guidelines or mechanisms for measuring the quality of answers to reference questions and the total quality performance of reference services

(Professional priorities: a, b, c, g, j)

Presidents theme: Advocacy, Partnership

Actions

4.1. Provide a forum for information on the nature of reference work in different parts of the world
4.2. Develop and initiate strategic and sustainable reference service projects in partnership with other IFLA Standing Committees representing the needs of the developing world communities
4.3. Translate the information brochure and other materials into as many languages as possible
4.4. Publish the section's newsletter annually

(Professional priorities: a, b, d, e, j)

President's theme: Advocacy, Partnership

Actions

5.1. In collaboration with other concerned IFLA sections, review the impact of international copyright and intellectual property laws upon the availability of information in reference work
5.2. In collaboration with other concerned IFLA sections, establish guidelines for the democracy-building role of library reference services and for unrestricted reference service provision of government information and information about governments for all citizens

(Professional priorities: h, i, k)

Presidents theme: Continuing professional development

Actions

6.1. Emphasize and support continuing education and professionalization of library and information service staff
6.2. Provide library and information service staff with guidelines and toolkits
6.3. Establish an electronic forum for discussions on reference issues

1. Supporting the role of libraries in society
2. Defending the principle of freedom of information
3. Promoting literacy, reading and life long learning
4. Providing unrestricted access to information
5. Balancing the intellectual property rights of authors with the needs of users
6. Promoting resource sharing
7. Preserving our intellectual heritage
8. Developing library professionals
9. Promoting standards, guidelines and best practices
10. Supporting the infrastructure of library associations
11. Representing libraries in the technological marketplace

Submitted by: Annsofie Oscarsson
Chair Reference Work Section