Definitions of Reference
(Reference and User Services Association (RUSA))
History
Originally prepared by a subgroup of the RSS Executive Committee; approved by the RUSA Board of
Directors, January 14, 2008.
Revised by Rebecca Eve Graff, Elizabeth German, Cynthia Johnson, and Janet T. O’Keefe; approved by
the RUSA Board of Directors, December 13, 2021.
Purpose
To update the 2008 version and to extend the conception of reference work beyond the transactional.
Introduction
The 2021 Definition of Reference focuses on describing the nature of reference work. The methodology
and process can be found in RUSA White Paper: Towards a New Definition of Reference. While counting
and assessing reference transactions is critical for library operations, the 2021 Definition seeks to provide a
venue for reference practitioners to explore the boundaries and morphing nature of reference work --
independent of the statistics used to measure the impact of this work. For guidance on gathering reference
statistics, please refer to NISO Standard Z39.7, “Information Services and Use: Metrics and Statistics for
Libraries and Information Providers.” Through the newly created Reference Toolkit, other resources are
provided to assist practitioners and administrators in the assessment of reference work, while the Definition
and Reference Work Themes allow for our community of practice to create new understandings and
deepen our knowledge of reference.
The Definition of Reference
Reference is providing assistance by using expertise in response to an information need.
The Definition in Context
⬥ Reference is in response to a current information need. The interaction is initiated by an individual or group
of people working together. This includes a library worker recognizing an apparent information need and
seeking to assist with it. Reference work aims to ensure that library users can find the resources they need
when they want them.
⬥ Although reference and instruction are part of a continuum and reference assistance could include
instruction, reference is not considered formal instruction. Formal instruction is teaching based on
anticipated needs and is initiated by an instructor.
⬥ Reference help is not workshop or other programming designed by library staff in anticipation of an
information need.
Reference Work Themes
Examples of reference work are provided for each theme. These lists are intended to be illustrative, rather
than comprehensive.
A) Providing Informational Expertise
B) Recommending and Interpreting Resources
C) Promoting Services
D) Managing Service Points
A) Providing Informational Expertise
⬥ Meeting library users where they want to meet you, in-person (consultations, roving, or walk-ups) or
remotely (chat, phone, text, video)
⬥ Applying the reference interview process to learn what the user wants to find
⬥ Demonstrating search and retrieval techniques
⬥ Identifying authoritative, high-quality information
⬥ Connecting users with the information they seek
⬥ Assisting users with resources in a variety of formats, including technological
⬥ Empowering our users to navigate future information needs
⬥ Explaining how to think about information systems in order to find needed resources
⬥ Referring users to other resources, as appropriate
B) Recommending and Interpreting Resources
⬥ Developing research guides and FAQs as asynchronous aids for on-demand assistance
⬥ Helping to interpret guides and manuals, such as for citations or software, or applying knowledge to
solve problems for which such handbooks might be used
⬥ Advising library users about what they might want to read
⬥ Optimizing discovery tools so they are more likely to lead users to relevant information
⬥ Collecting and managing resources
⬥ Understanding your community's information ecosystem in order to select appropriate sources
C) Promoting Services
⬥ Advertising for increased outreach
⬥ Demonstrating how we might be of service to increase effectiveness and impact
D) Managing Service Points
⬥ Designing services with library users’ experience in mind
⬥ Ensuring on-demand services so that library workers are available when users are most likely to need
our help
⬥ Evaluating or assessing service provision
⬥ Implementing ongoing professional development opportunities
⬥ Training professional, paraprofessional, and student staff to respond effectively to inquiries
Further Readings
Detailed methodology and processes can be found in the RUSA Definition of Reference OSF archive.
A history of the definition of reference through 2002 can be found in Definitions of Reference Service: A
Chronological Bibliography.
Source: Definitions of Reference | Reference & User Services Association (RUSA) (ala.org)
