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In 1883, The Boston Public Library began hiring librarians for reference services. Since then, a discipline has grown around personally meeting the needs of the public, as Library Science has evolved into Information Science. Yet, the goal of assisting with information needs remains the same. There is disciplinary overlap between programming and information science, but there are cultural differences that can be addressed. In other words, applying reference library practices to our teams can foster environments where barriers to asking for and providing help are broken down. Play
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# How Reference Librarians Can Help Us Help Each Other The video presentation by Mike Calhoun at RailsConf 2021 explores the discipline of reference librarianship and how developers can utilize these practices to foster a supportive community. It highlights the evolution of library science into information science, emphasizing the importance of bridging cultural differences to break down barriers in seeking and providing help. ## Key Points: - **Introduction to Reference Librarianship:** The history and evolution of reference librarianship since 1883, focusing on its role in assisting the public with their information needs. - **Conceptual Clarifications:** Definitions of **data**, **information**, and **knowledge** are elucidated, showing how they relate to reference services. - **Historical Context:** The discussion includes notable figures in library science history, such as Samuel Swett Green and S. R. Ranganathan, who contributed significantly to reference library work and the democratization of information. - **Information Seeking Behavior:** The evolving nature of information behavior models and the role of librarians in guiding individuals through their information needs in the context of technological changes. - **Types of Reference Questions:** The presenter categorizes reference inquiries into four types—directional, ready reference, in-depth reference, and consultations—drawing parallels with software engineering problems, thereby demonstrating how librarianship principles can be beneficial in tech environments. - **Engineers as Information Brokers:** Engineers should strive to make information accessible and reduce barriers for their teams, akin to the work of reference librarians. - **Five Modified Laws for Engineering Teams:** Calhoun proposes a reinterpretation of Ranganathan's Five Laws of Library Science to suit software engineering, emphasizing that all information is for use, everyone needs access to knowledge, and the importance of documenting and maintaining authority in information sources. ## Conclusion: The presentation concludes with a call to action for software engineers to incorporate the principles of reference librarianship to bolster community support and knowledge sharing, advocating for a collaborative environment that encourages information-seeking behavior among team members. Calhoun encourages attendees to support local libraries, highlighting their continued relevance in an increasingly digital information landscape.
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