Reference+Books

Online databases are plentiful and many are free. What is the fate of reference books? Should we continue to provide this format? 1. We agreed that we would no longer purchase encyclopedias because of the online access. There is a still a need for some reference books in certain topic areas; due to cost, binding and topic specialty some of these books would need to be placed in reference. Limited student check-out is still possible (i.e. 1 day/ per student) The reference section will gradually decrease in size.

Online databases are invaluable for research but encyclopedias are not quite dead yet ... most of the research books are being integrated into the collection.

2.Due to online reference tools, print reference is becoming obsolete. Opitons are to circulate into the regular collection, keep only the basics to have available for students to use as their "print resource" for Big 6 projects and reports.

No! We need to prepare our students for their generation of learning and be able to be successful in the 21st century.

3. print encyclopedias are a thing of the past. On-line ency's are more current, easily editable, etc. Other reference works may need to be kept for specialty topics, primary source documents/holdings will need to be added. We don't feel research should be 100% on-line, but most teachers are sending students more and more to online resources. This would be a place for librarians to advocate for their print collections by showing what they have to offer.

Print reference books are definitely being phased out in some areas, such as general encyclopedias. We like the increased access and search options that electronic reference books provide. Most of us are already treating our reference more like nonfiction and allowing them to circulate.

4. Let them be checked out until they are out of date. Do not purchase any new reference.

5. I think the print reference books are going away. There are so many free resources online.