Being an effective school librarian requires acting as an active instructional partner, an advocate for information literacy and information resources, and a reference librarian. Now in its third edition, this concise book provides you with a solid foundation in providing reference services to students as well as teachers. It details all aspects of providing essential reference services in the context of the AASL Standards, the Common Core State Standards, and the evolving role of today's school librarian.

Author Scott Lanning emphasizes service and instruction while addressing topics such as inquiry, critical thinking, building core reference skills, electronic and Web resources, leadership skills, and virtual reference services. The book begins with chapters that discuss information and the information-seeking process. The following sections cover the provision of reference services, methods for teaching information literacy, the use of electronic resources in general, and the creation of library resources that support reference and instruction. The text concludes with an assessment of the value of reference and instruction services to the school and beyond.