ALA Annual 2007: Day 4: June 24: Is Print Ref Dead?

ALA Annual 2007. Day 4. June 24, 2007

Reference Books Bulletin: Is Print Reference Dead?
"Experts discuss whether the print reference collection is a thing of the past, or whether it still has a place in the increasingly electronic world of reference. Speakers include Denise Beaubien Bennett, Reference Librarian, Marston Science Library, University of Florida; Ruth Fischer, Partner, R2 Consulting; Sue Polanka, Head of Instruction, Paul Lawrence Dunbar Library, Wright State University. Carolyn Mulac, Booklist/RBB Editorial Board Chair, will moderate."

Despite the academic-only panel, I was interested in hearing this discussion, as we are taking a hard look at our print reference collection.   The short and resounding answer is "Not dead yet, but dying."  All three panelists offered not only antecdote, but compelling evidence that reference budgets should be more focused on acquiring and making accessible, electronic reference sources.

There was acknowledgment that print is still viable, but much less so. To maximize use of  existing print ref collections and staff resources, these suggestions were offered:

• ID and segregate reference material at point of selection--rather than spending time looking at material when it comes in, know where it's going to go when you order
• Eliminate reference sublocations.  specialized reference collections are a barrier to access.
• Reduce size of print ref collection--aggressive weeding increases a collection's usability (many libraries thinning reference collections 50-75% and even more.
• Limit selection to titles that are truly better in print--almanacs, field guides (and ONLY if these sources get used).  "Encyclopedia" in a title does not an encyclopedia make.
• Circulate the ref collection.

How much is print reference used?

• 1990 study at Wright State University that demonstrated that only 50% of the reference collection was used ONCE in five years.
• Stetson University 2005: 9.7% of print reference collection used
• Wright State U (2006): Only 6.2% of collection saw any use.
  • They responded by weeding 1/3 of print collection
  • They purchased the Gale online ref package.  Only 200 titles, but those saw significantly more use than the print colleciton.

Reasons why print is dying:

• Catalog information for p-titles is limited to title in most cases
  • e-ref is very browsable online--TOC, indexes, etc.
• Preferences of contemporary users who expect 24/7 access, searchability, full text delivery.
  
  • digital natives
  • distance learners
  • convenience-seekers
• P-content is invisible
• Print indexes are too hard to use
• MLS/MLIS students are not required to take reference. Most get out of school with only one (or fewer) ref classes
  • a 1987 study showed that reference collections were too large and impossible to learn
  • does this mean they are not providing good ref service?  NO.
• Print is....print.  E-resources offer interactivity and multimedia. Many resources are dynamic and frequently updated

Problems with e-reference

• E-ref is more expensive than p-ref in many cases (with justifiable reason)
• No good aggregators for all e-titles
• May have to pay annual maintenance fee, even with no new content 
  

Transitioning to e-reference

• Communicate what you are doing and why, to patrons
• Training--staff and patrons
• Make sure your e-resources are searchable in catalog
• Include FREE, authoritative sources in catalog.

Comments

[Sue Polanka]

"1990 study at Wright State University that demonstrated that only 50% of the reference collection was used ONCE in five years. "
- this study was done by Engeldinger at the Univ. of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, published in 1990.

[Eric Frierson]

Thanks for the summary! I didn't make it to this, but it's one I wanted to get to!

Thanks for the excellent summary. I had planned to attend this session, but the road to Annual is paved...I am going to send this summary (with full credit) to members of MPOW's reference committee. I am also now itching to pitch 50-75% of my branch's reference collection. Way too much of it is not paying the rent!

I'm sorry I didn't get to see you at all this year. I wasn't feeling very well, so we skipped the receptions and salon. I really do wish I'd seen you and Walt, and I can't believe I missed meeting Blake! I now am committing to making more of my virtual life. Hope to see you around (here and there) more often.