Two Decades of Readers’ Advisory in RUSQ: A Content Analysis of the Readers’ Advisory Column Published in Reference & User Services Quarterly from 2000 to 2019

Abstract

This paper presents a content analysis of all the 63 articles published under the Readers’ Advisory (RA) column of the journal Reference & User Services Quarterly (RUSQ). The analysis aimed to study the topics discussed in the articles; learn the trends by analyzing the article-related statistics such as themes, types, and length; and find the patterns by analyzing the author-related statistics such as collaboration, geographic base, affiliation, and frequency (multiple contributions to the column). Findings showed that the RA column published fairly regularly (81.9%). Thematically, maximum articles centered on depicting the variety of RA practices (31.7%); and guidance about numerous RA tools available in print and online (15.9%) for all types of librarians to help provide better RA service. Most articles were sole-authored (88.9%), maximum authors were from the United States (81%), and most were affiliated with the public library sector (47.6%). The column editors were actively involved in the column. This paper is the first to attempt the content analysis of the complete RA column since its commencement. This in-depth analysis shows the journey of RA service during the first two decades of the 21st century by denoting the common themes as well as unique topics discussed in the column.