Top MLS Resources for all Library Staff

• Career Central Job Listings
• Internship Central
• L2 Calendar of Events
• MLS Awards
• MLS E-nnounce
• MLS Membership Directory
• MLS Networking Groups
• Additional Services available at Public Libraries (Excel File)
• Research Pro Purchase Frequently Asked Questions

MLS Reference Consultant

• Kathy Roegge, roeggek@mls.lib.il.us, (630) 734-5123.

MLS Consultants provide support and answer questions about all facets of library work to members within the system. To contact the consulting department, email consultants@mls.lib.il.us or call 630-734-5130.

MLS Reference Vision

MLS, a multi-type library system, supports the integrity of the library profession by supporting member libraries reference and information services through continuing education, staff development and member library collaboration.

Reference Advisory Group

The MLS Reference Advisory Committee is a representative group of MLS Reference librarians who provide feedback to MLS consultants regarding CE workshop ideas, issues and concerns of reference libraries.

MLS Networking Groups for Reference Libraries

Reflist Mailing List
A forum for member reference and adult services librarians and for anyone else who would like to join and participate. Members are encouraged to discuss any reference-related subjects, particularly those topics of interest in the Chicago metropolitan area. To subscribe or unsubscribe: Send an email message to reflist-request@mls.lib.il.us with the appropriate word ("subscribe" or "unsubscribe") as the only word in the subject line. To send a message: Send an email message to reflist@mls.lib.il.us. Please include a subject in the subject line.

Metropolitan Academic Reference and Instruction Librarians (MARIL)
A networking group for reference and instruction librarians at academic libraries in the Chicago area. Meetings held three times a year in the MLS Chicago office. Events are posted on the MLS Calendar of Events.

Reader's Advisory Special Interest Group (RA SIG)
The Reader's Advisory Special Interest Group (RA SIG) is a forum for public and school librarians and library staff to participate in a quarterly discussion of three books around a selected genre, subgenre, or nonfiction topic. Meetings are held every other month, starting in January, the second Tuesday at 9:30. Check the MLS Calendar for more information.

Reference Association of South Suburban Libraries (RASSL)
RASSL is a forum for MLS reference librarians in the southern suburbs of Chicago providing opportunities for increasing knowledge, sharing information, networking with colleagues, and supporting fellow librarians.

South Suburban Adult Programmers
SSAP meets quarterly to share information regarding past, current and future library programs and events. We have frank and open discussions about persons and groups hosted at our libraries. For meetings, check the MLS Calendar.

Zones 1 - 4 Reference Librarians
A forum for reference librarians in MLS suburban Zones 1-4 providing opportunities for increasing knowledge, sharing information, networking with colleagues, and supporting fellow librarians. For meetings, check the MLS Calendar.

Resources for Reference Libraries

Ask?Away
Virtual reference is reference service initiated electronically. Users of the Internet or other technology communicate with librarians without being physically present. Virtual reference emerged in response to the growth of the Internet for users who cannot or do not turn to the library for answers. Librarians can provide trusted and quality information.You may also visit the Ask?Away Illinois web site.

Core Reference Lists
MLS Core Reference Lists are intended to serve as basic foundations of reference collections.

• MLS Recommended Resources List for Adult Reference Collections
• MLS Youth Services Recommended Reference Sources, Updated 1/2008 (PDF)
• MLS Youth Services Recommended Electronic Reference Resources, Created 8/2008 (PDF)
  • MLS YS Electronic Reference Resources Voice Tread Presentation, (10 minutes)
• MLS School Library K-8 Recommended Reference Resources, Updated 11/2008 (PDF)
  • MLS School Recommended Subscription Databases Addendum, Created 11/2008 (PDF)
• MLS High School Recommended Reference Resouces, Updated 9/2008 (PDF)
• MLS High School Core Reference Wiki http://mlshsresources.wetpaint.com (replaces supplement), Created 10/2008

MLS Reference Guidelines
In accordance with its commitment to high quality information service, the MLS Reference Advisory Committee developed the MLS Statement of Reference Guidelines for member libraries. The Committee consists of twelve reference librarians and administrators representing academic, public, school, and special libraries. These guidelines were developed to reflect the multitype nature of the Metropolitan Library System. By accepting and maintaining these guidelines, the membership emphasizes the continued value of the long-standing spirit of cooperation among MLS libraries.

MLS Reference Wiki
The MLS Reference Wiki is a place for Metropolitan Library System reference professionals to share tools, find experts, and locate library collections. This is a work in progress, and is supported by the efforts of the MLS Reference Advisory Committee and the MLS Consulting Department. For access to the wiki, please email Kathy Roegge at roeggek@mls.lib.il.us.