Reference Services

Reference Services may be for YOU, if you are interested in:

• Reading
• Research
• Intriguing facts
• Communicating with the public
• Learning new information and adding to existing knowledge

Coursework for specialization in Reference Services:

• S501 - Reference
• S551 - Library Management
• S573 - Education of Information Users
• S533 - Online Searching
• One or more of:
  • S521 - Humanities Information
  • S523 - Science and Technology Information
  • S522 - Social Science Information
  • S525 - Government Information
  • S526 - Business Information

Job Outlook for this field:

• In addition to working as a reference librarian in an academic or public library, job opportunities include working as a consultant, information specialist, reference coordinator or information broker.

Qualities employers seek:

• Strong communication skills along with the ability to instruct others and make decisions. These interpersonal skills coupled with collection development knowledge make an ideal candidate.

Opportunities to gain experience in this field:

Internships offered with:

• Monroe County Public Library, both at the Main Library and the Ellettsville Branch.
• IU Libraries

Professional Associations:

• The Reference and User Services Association - a Division of the American Library Association (ALA)
• Library Administration and Management Association - Division of ALA
• Public Library Association - Division of ALA
• Association of College and Research Libraries - Division of ALA
• The Indiana Library Federation (ILF)

Interested in knowing more? Contact:

On campus:

• Emily Okada, Librarian
  IU Undergraduate Library
  812-855-9857 or email: okada@indiana.edu
• Frank Quinn, Librarian
  IU Library, Reference Department
  812-855-8028 or email: quinnjf@indiana.edu

Employers:

• Monroe County Public Library
  812-349-3228