Getting to the Core:

The Anne Arundel County Public Library developed a three phase reference project. During Phase I (12 months) a committee conducted a study of the reference holdings among the 13 branches and developed a core list of 250 reference titles for each branch. In Phase II (six months) the library explored ways to have staff learn to use these reference titles. Each branch would develop a lesson plan, questions/activities, to teach both the preparer and taker the organization and content of a reference title. A training team presented a workshop on examination of reference titles and preparation of lesson plans. Participants practiced both. In Phase III (14 months) each branch develops its own lesson plan on a subject area of the core list. After all plans are developed, one plan is sent to each staff member monthly to complete. At the end of Phase III, an evaluation mechanism will be initiated to test the transfer of learning.