Master Reference Librarians for a New Age

Summary

In 1990 the authors conducted interviews with “Master” reference librarians in an effort to determine if these librarians shared traits which could be used to predict success in the field of reference Hbrarianship. From these interviews a list of eight shared characteristics was developed. In the six intervening years, reference collections and reference work have changed greatly and the authors began to wonder if the list of characteristics remained valid in the electronic reference world. Interviews with “New Age Masters” were used to determine which characteristics were still valid and to identify any new traits needed to succeed. The librarians were also asked to speculate on the future of reference Hbrarianship.