Is It Really on the Web and What Does That Mean for Instruction and Reference?

Abstract

Assumptions are frequently made about what is available through the Web and those assumptions are often voiced by librarians as well as users, affecting collection decisions, information literacy instruction, and reference interactions. Based on a spring 2011 project comparing biographical information for literary authors writing in English in two commercial databases, Wikipedia, and through Google searches, the author changed her approach to her information literacy courses and reference interactions, not just her collections work. The author will briefly outline the project and offer implications for collections, information literacy, and reference, and emphasize the value of a continued generalist approach to librarianship.