Library and Information Science Commons^™

Reflecting Deeply: Why A Philosophy Of Reference Services Should Direct Every Ri, Bethany Radcliffe, Garrett Trott

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This article distinguishes between a philosophy and a theory of reference services. Philosophy explores why practitioners do something, whereas theory explores the actual practice without necessarily reflecting on the why behind it. The authors argue that a personal philosophy of reference services is needed, as librarians’ values ultimately drive the reference services they provide. Much of the current literature on this topic explores theories of reference services as opposed to the philosophies behind them. The authors first examine the gap in the LIS literature pertaining to a philosophy of reference services. They then define three premises upon which they base …