As the landscape in higher education continues to evolve, two University of Denver colleagues have assembled 14 forward-looking articlesin Rethinking Reference for AcademicLibraries. In an effort to improvethe quality of service provided by reference librarians, subjects such ascultural diversity, professional assessment, technological issues, and outreachare explored. Drawing examples from thepast and present and providing abundant bibliographies, the contributingauthors offer a great deal of pertinent information in this compendium. Foracademic reference librarians who wish to continue a tradition of excellentservice for patrons in a rapidly changing atmosphere, Forbes and Bowers providean ample supply of food for thought and practical possibilities for emergingissues.--Frutchey, Jim Copyright 2015 Booklist

The competencies needed by academic librarians are depicted here by a cross-section of such librarians from the United States and Canada. Studies are included that examine the need to transform reference service given changing demographics and technological developments. Descriptions of reference and research programs and services are described focusing on five major areas: collaboration, diversity, technology, assessment, and professional competencies. Literature reviews and case studies look at issues such as reference services for the LGBT community, whether the reference desk still matters, and professional skills for virtual reference librarians. Forbes (associate dean for student and scholar svcs., Univ. of Denver) and Bowers (social sciences librarian, Univ. of Denver) have written extensively on library reference and research topics. This resource may be considered an update of Richard E. Bopp and Linda C. Smith's Reference and Information Services: An Introduction. In a field that is rapidly changing, this guide offers knowledge of innovative developments and future trends. VERDICT Librarians looking to "reimage reference and research services for the 21st century academic library" will get many ideas. Recommended for the professional collection of academic libraries.-Karen -Venturella, Union Cty. Coll. Libs, Cranford, NJ © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.