Introduction to Reference Work, Volume I, 8th Edition by William A. Katz
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Reference Rambler

• Facts to Longevity
• Sound Off
• Novels
• Dewey at Home
• Boohoo Yahoo
• Dummy Up
• Mummies Mapped
• Logon Pop
• Case for Information
• Crisis on the Net

Facts to Longevity
What's the secret of old age? Compile Famous First Facts, (H. W. Wilson Co. 1933 to date) and/or similar works. Joseph Kane, editor of the fact reference work, died on September 27, 2002 at age 103. Until age 98 he was busy at work on another edition. His books are in every reference library. They are the encyclopedical minutiae. As one writer put it: "For the seekers of history's flyspecks, Mr. Kane was Solomon, Zeus and Jupiter all rolled into one." (For a lengthy obituary see The New York Times, September 27, 2002, p. A29.)

Sound Off
The next time a patron wants to hear the roar of a lion or an angry titmouse, turn to FindSounds (www.findsounds.com). The site offers over 40,000 sounds from screeching tires and tap dancing to burps (124 types) and footsteps on gravel. Obscene noise is screened out, although everything else is reached on the search engine - including "find sounds like this one."

Novels
Anyone who reads novels is amazed when the worth of fiction is challenged. Such a query is similar to measuring the value of love, religion or last night's sitcom. For reference librarians in reader's advisory work, the perfect, well researched reply for the unimaginative is found in a study by Professor Usherwood: The value and impact of reading imaginative literature," Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, March 2002, pp. 33-41.

Dewey at Home
Librarians who want to catalog their own library, or have friends with the same desire, turn to Singlefile (www.spinfree.com/singlefile/). The process is easy. Type in the ISBN number and all basic data about the book is on the screen. The company claims it is "also great for keeping a record of your books for insurance purposes. And, in affiliation with Amazon.com, you can discover and buy new books you might enjoy based on the authors in your collection!" There is an annual flat fee which starts at $20. Try it first for free.

Boohoo Yahoo
Even over 1 million readers won't keep a popular magazine going without sufficient advertisements. That's on the tombstone of Yahoo Internet Life, a Ziff Davis Media title which closed down in late 2002. The monthly was a superior source of information on Web sites, and particularly those dedicated to popular culture. It will be missed by reference librarians.

Dummy Up
Everyone should help a confused person clarify his or her question. A few refuse help. Their stubborn desire to be obtuse may be explained by bad parents, a bad night, or simply being dumb. If the latter, try Avital Ronell's Stupidity (University of Illinois Press, 2002). The research into the difficult patron is worth the author's sometimes awkward style.

Mummies Mapped
The Theban Mapping Project (http://www.thebanmappingproject.com) presents free scholarship and entertainment online. Sponsored by archeological institutions, including the American University in Cairo, the site features articles, images and maps of Thebes and the Valley of the Kings. There are nearly 2,000 images with models of each to measure, pan, and zoom. A marvelous journey for adults and kids.

Logon Pop
Looking for information on chocodiles, goofy mental hygiene films, cast of a sitcom, or possibly where to find handbags made out of album covers? It's all at the weblog site Pop Culture Junk Mail (www.popculturejunkmail.com). The log is the imaginative style, not to mention diligent research of Gale Cooper in Seattle. Browse "the daily dose of Web weirdness" with "wonderful goofy products from Japan"; or cool games from "pong to pac-man".

Case for Information
Focusing on professional research by managers and doctors to journalists and scholars, Professor Donald O. Case's Looking for Information (Orlando, FL: Academic Press, 2002) is a successful effort to explain information behavior patterns. Thanks to clear writing and a summary of current research, it is a must for librarians in larger libraries.

Crisis on the Net
Reliable for odd bits of information gathered about the Internet, the Pew Internet and American Life (www.pewinternet.org) is the site to turn to for the latest Net data. Their interview turn up such fascinating facts as: Students seeking the best college or schools are the ones who use online information the most when education is a "crucial or important" role in their lives. Next in line for "crucial" information: how to start a new hobby, where to find data on jobs or illness. For a sentimental country, it is a surprise to learn "romance" plays a small part in the "important" online chain.