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.

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:

William Orme, Reference Librarian, IUPUI University Library