More an art than a science the reference interview requires not only knowing a specific set of skills but also how to apply those skills in an everchanging world. Built around timeless service principles including Ranganathanamprsquos Five Laws The Reference Interview Today Negotiating and Answering Questions Face to Face on the Phone and Virtually is a practical field guide to conducting reference interviews in every modality facetoface phone chat text virtual world such as Second Life and even mashup reference interviews where multiple modalities are used to answer the question. Seamlessly combining both timehonored principles and multiple technologies this practical book demonstrates how librarians can be as relevant and necessary in the digital age as in the print world. Appropriate for both novice and experienced librarians as well as for LIS students this concise handbook speaks to those working in or preparing for careers in public school academic and special libraries..