A new library is evolving out of the institutional settings of the past. It is a constantly expanding landscape combining printed text, images, data, photographs, videos, music, ephemera, and artwork available in a dizzying array of formats and access. Yet the mission of the library -- of informing, educating, entertaining, and stimulating thought -- continues very much today as it began. Books in this series are written for practicing librarians: those who daily face the challenges, clashes, opportunities, and pressures of bridging the gap between information and its potential users in the physical and virtual reality that comprises "The New Library".

This comprehensive handbook is written by those who have "been there and done that" -- successfully. Joe Janes, Lorna Peterson, Steven Coffman, Martha Tarlton, Brett Butler, Susan Lessick and others share their expertise with librarians and other information professionals who are planning or implementing digital reference services. This unique guide discusses the role of reference collections and staff in the new millennium and explores changing reference culture and technologies. Sections and chapters range from "Why Reference is About to Change Forever (But Not Completely)", to "Transforming Reference Staffing for the Digital Library", to Building Digital Reference Services and Networks", "Managing Digital Reference Services", and "Evaluating Digital Reference Services". The "Digital Reference Technology Spotlight" section offers an in-depth look at actual models.