Reference Services and Instruction: The Intersection of Reference and Instruction

Abstract

As an academic librarian, I often have conversations about reference or instruction. However, those conversations are seldom about reference and instruction. I believe that this is due to the structural realities of ALA; discussions about reference take place in RUSA and talks about instruction occur in ACRL. This is unfortunate because reference informs and enhances instruction and vice-versa. Moreover, as a result of this siloing, I don’t know what other divisions have to say about the links between reference and instruction. Fortunately, RUSA is the perfect place to hold those dialogues since people from all divisions come together here regarding reference. I think we need to create a space to hold these discussions, which is why I’ve created this column.