*A New Definition of Reference.* A major achievement of the RUSA Board at theALA Midwinter meeting was the passage of a new definition of reference service. Although the field has been constantly changing at an ever-increasing pace, the official RUSA definition was written over two decades ago. After a long process involving multiple committees and public comments, we arrived at agreement. Although a definition is often a simple thing, it is not always simple to make changes to it . . . .
Definition of Reference, approved by RUSA Board of Directors, January 14, 2008, submitted by subgroup of RSS Executive Committee:
*Reference Transactions* are information consultations in which library staff recommend, interpret, evaluate, and/or use information resources to help others to meet particular information needs. Reference transactions do not include formal instruction or exchanges that provide assistance with locations, schedules, equipment, supplies, or policy statements.
*Reference Work* includes reference transactions and other activities that involve the creation, management, and assessment of information or research resources, tools, and services. (The following bullets clarify what is meant by terms within the Reference Work definition.)
- *Creation and management of information resources* includes the development and maintenance of research collections, research guides,catalogs, databases, web sites, search engines, etc., that patrons can use independently, in-house or remotely, to satisfy their information needs.
- *Assessment* activities include the measurement and evaluationof reference work, resources, and services.
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