Indications that libraries often bypassed by researchers in finding government information. Knowledgeable staff can help researchers and citizens focus on relevant networked information. Information overload for reference providers caused by new forms and content of information. There is often a steep learning curve for much federal electronic information caused by non-standardized federal practices, poor software, etc.
Some possibilities are increased phone reference, e-mail reference, and interactive reference.
New reference services. Reference providers need reliable and high speed access to the Net and high grade desktop equipment including printers. Full text sources and databases on the Net demand that reference providers have access to downloading capabilities including printers that give output that users find acceptable. Institutions will be picking up the cost of printing of federal information. Service will call for a greater merging of access, service, and systems.