The term reference material needs to be redefined to take into consideration new and yet-to-emerge technologies. Reference material needs to be authoritative and accurate. The Internet now days has opened up the gateway for people to have greater access to authoritative information.
I like the idea of having a physical 'reference section' in the school library as it allows all students access to relevant and reliable information in which to begin or consolidate on their research. The reference section provides a good starting point for students to begin their research. By directing students to dictionaries, atlases and general and specialist encyclopedias first it helps them to move away from thinking that research involves just "Googling it". Today reference material needs to also considered in terms of digital resources that a school library might subscribe to or have access to, such as databases, indexes and online encyclopedias. Based on this premise, the idea of reference material that may not be borrowed or taken out of the library is redundant somewhat. Online encyclopedias are an example of a reference resource material that students could access from home via the library web page.
Overall the main issue is to ensure that students (and teachers) have the skills to seek and use accurate and authoritative reference material - whether it is in print or online form.
THE REFERENCE INTERVIEW
I had never considered a reference interview but I suppose that's what we do when students ask teacher librarians for information. Giving the term 'reference interview' makes it somewhat more of a process I guess.
The reference interview helps the teacher librarian to help students find information. It aids in narrowing down and understanding the topic and information need of the user and then directing students to the relevant print and digital resources.
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