What is a Reference Librarian?

What is a Reference Librarian? Do we still need them?

A Reference Librarian has studied a wide range of reference materials, both in print and online and knows the proper procedure for helping a patron track down information.

With Google or Bing, many believe there doesn't seem to be much need for Reference Librarians anymore, but I argue that's not true.

A Reference Librarian should be able to help you better define your thoughts, show you how to access the information (and not just go to Wikipedia), provide extra pertinent information and offer to help you in the future.

Reference Librarians can:


  • Tell you what the weather was like in Denver on May 12th, 1902
  • Tell you when English women stopped riding sidesaddle
  • Show you how to use ReferenceUSA to analyze whether there's a need for another Chinese restaurant in a town, see the revenue of all the bakeries in a city, see the ethnicities and genders of the executives in a company and a lot more
  • Help you refine your thesis and access information for a research paper
  • Conduct a professional reference interview that helps you articulate your needs and helps her find the information you need
  • Find out if there are any fjords in the US
  • Explain what samizdat is
  • Lead you to trustworthy sources of medical information -- and so much more.

The skills take a long time to develop so it's sad to see that this weekend NO ONE trained librarian was on duty at the Northfield library. While the staff was helpful and friendly, I'd hope that a district like Winnetka-Northfield could employ enough professionals so that there's at least one person who's studied Reference Services on duty.

I suppose we saved money this weekend, but is that why we have a library?

Winnetka-Northfield Public Library Board Meeting, Dec 2019, Carol



Excuse the poor sound. I did increase the volume 400% (the maximum), but the sound still is slow. When the library posts the sound in January, I'll make a video of that.

Yet, what Carol says is beautiful and worth straining your ears.

To see the disrespect that J.P. Ruiz-Funes showed Lois, click here.

Rotting from the Top



Pattie Morrell speaks out. She's now going to Glencoe Library. How many patrons do we have to lose before the Board acts?

WNPL December Board Meeting | Lois



Lois urges the Board to review former employees' exit interviews and correspondence. She advises them not to let the fox guard the hen house. Why should the Director Rebecca Wolf decide who's on a committee to evaluate or investigate Rebecca Wolf?

In what banana republic does the person under examination get to control the information on her record and get to choose who investigate her.

Board Packet for December Meeting

You can read the Board Packet for the December 16th meeting here.

It looks to me like our spending on other consultants, HR and legal services is high, while our visits and circulation is down.

Do you see anything that should be mentioned to the Board?

(Not that they seem to listen.)

Minutes vs. Meeting, Pt. 5 | Unbelievable



Trish and Denise's comments at the November 16th Library Board Meeting.

Do you think that the minutes thoroughly capture what was said? 


Director Finalists' Interviews

Monday, August 17th at 6:30 pm the Winnetka Northfield Public Library District will hold interviews or presentations over Zoom for their new...