Skeptically Defining the "Post-Reference Epoch".
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| Title: | Skeptically Defining the "Post-Reference Epoch". |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Norton, Christina (AUTHOR), Stub, Jennifer A. W. (AUTHOR), Sollinger, Annie (AUTHOR), Riric, Tim (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Library Trends. May2026, Vol. 74 Issue 4, p724-741. 18p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Generative artificial intelligence, *Library reference services, *Academic librarianship, *Information-seeking behavior, *Critical theory, Information theory, Attitudes toward technology |
| Abstract: | This article explores the tension between generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and library reference service as options for information seeking, arguing that with the recent proliferation of GenAI tools, we have entered a post-reference epoch. This epoch is defined by a change in not only where and how patrons may seek information but their expectations of that information. After refining the idea of the "post-reference epoch," the article outlines specific sites of tension between the values of generative AI and the values of academic librarianship, as well as potential futures for library reference service. This article's AI-skeptical stance envisions the post-reference epoch as an opportunity to review past services and revise service provision to reflect new knowledge. The lack of immediate answers to questions about the future of reference is the most compelling tension we will explore; our first steps along this path will be guided by critical theory, Marxist theory, and the philosophy of information. We seek not to resolve this tension within a single article but to begin charting a potential path toward new definitions of value and service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Library Trends is the property of Johns Hopkins University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
| FullText | Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: ehh DbLabel: Education Research Complete An: 194555647 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Skeptically Defining the "Post-Reference Epoch". – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Norton%2C+Christina%22">Norton, Christina</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Stub%2C+Jennifer+A%2E+W%2E%22">Stub, Jennifer A. W.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sollinger%2C+Annie%22">Sollinger, Annie</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Riric%2C+Tim%22">Riric, Tim</searchLink> (AUTHOR) – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Library+Trends%22">Library Trends</searchLink>. May2026, Vol. 74 Issue 4, p724-741. 18p. – Name: Subject Label: Subject Terms Group: Su Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Generative+artificial+intelligence%22">Generative artificial intelligence</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Library+reference+services%22">Library reference services</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+librarianship%22">Academic librarianship</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Information-seeking+behavior%22">Information-seeking behavior</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Critical+theory%22">Critical theory</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Information+theory%22">Information theory</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attitudes+toward+technology%22">Attitudes toward technology</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: This article explores the tension between generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and library reference service as options for information seeking, arguing that with the recent proliferation of GenAI tools, we have entered a post-reference epoch. This epoch is defined by a change in not only where and how patrons may seek information but their expectations of that information. After refining the idea of the "post-reference epoch," the article outlines specific sites of tension between the values of generative AI and the values of academic librarianship, as well as potential futures for library reference service. This article's AI-skeptical stance envisions the post-reference epoch as an opportunity to review past services and revise service provision to reflect new knowledge. The lack of immediate answers to questions about the future of reference is the most compelling tension we will explore; our first steps along this path will be guided by critical theory, Marxist theory, and the philosophy of information. We seek not to resolve this tension within a single article but to begin charting a potential path toward new definitions of value and service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Library Trends is the property of Johns Hopkins University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=ehh&AN=194555647 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1353/lib.2026.a992002 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 18 StartPage: 724 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Generative artificial intelligence Type: general – SubjectFull: Library reference services Type: general – SubjectFull: Academic librarianship Type: general – SubjectFull: Information-seeking behavior Type: general – SubjectFull: Critical theory Type: general – SubjectFull: Information theory Type: general – SubjectFull: Attitudes toward technology Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Skeptically Defining the "Post-Reference Epoch". Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Norton, Christina – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Stub, Jennifer A. W. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Sollinger, Annie – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Riric, Tim IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 05 Text: May2026 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 00242594 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 74 – Type: issue Value: 4 Titles: – TitleFull: Library Trends Type: main |
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