Training Paraprofessionals for Reference Service Provides Training Tips and Tools for Paraprofessionals

New York, NY (October 6, 2008)—As librarians and information science professionals juggle shrinking budgets, new technologies and the shifting role of the reference desk, many have found that providing top-notch reference service is more challenging than ever. Oftentimes, libraries find that integrating paraprofessionals into their staff is an essential practice to ensure superior reference service and standards. In Training Paraprofessionals for Reference Service, 2nd Edition: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians, to be published by Neal-Schuman publishers on November 19th 2008, Pamela Morgan provides all of the best practices, tips and checklists for knowing how and when to hire paraprofessionals.

Morgan, a reference librarian and information consultant for the University of Alabama, contends that paraprofessionals should complement services provided by professional librarians, and explains that a successful collaboration between the two will results in the best possible service.

The 10-chapter book offers advice on writing an appropriate job description and creating a comprehensive training and orientation plan for paraprofessionals. It also includes new and useful checklists that detail both the basic and advanced reference skills that paraprofessionals need to serve effectively in a reference department – everything from online catalog training to evaluating internet sources to more complex online searching skills.

In addition, Morgan’s book includes six ready-to-use training modules that cover general encyclopedias, international information, statistics, government individuals and agencies, company information, and consumer medical and health information. She covers the basic communication skills required at the reference desk and concludes with information on performance management (feedback, coaching, and evaluation) and a how-to on evaluating your training program and other professional development resources.

As the staffing situation in libraries continues to pose challenges, the need for more training on the role of paraprofessionals in reference services will accelerate. Training Paraprofessionals for Reference Service is a must-read for anyone involved in managing reference services and library training and staff development.

Training Paraprofessionals for Reference Service, 2nd Edition: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians
ISBN: 978-1-55570-643-2.
2008. 6 x 9. 205pp. $65.00.

About the Author
Pamela Morgan is currently a Reference Librarian/Information Consultant at the University of Alabama. Before making a career switch to academic librarianship, she worked in cataloging and indexing, ran a small corporate library, and has nearly a decade of reference experience at a large urban public library (including Government Publications and Business Science and Technology).
Morgan is an active member of the American Library Association’s Reference and User Services Association. She graduated with a Masters of Science in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1993.

About Neal-Schuman Publishers
Founded in 1976, Neal-Schuman Publishers is based in New York City with offices in London, UK. Neal-Schuman is a leading publisher of textbooks in all areas of library and information studies, from library science to archival and records management, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

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sarah.eisenberg@neal-schuman.com
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212-925-8650
www.neal-schuman.com