The Reference Librarian aims to be a standard resource for everyone interested in the practice of reference work, from library and information science students to practicing reference librarians and full-time researchers. It enables readers to keep current with best practices in instruction and reference services. up with the changing face of reference, presenting new ideas for consideration.
The Reference Librarian publishes articles about all aspects of the reference process, some research-based and some applied based on original research and columns expressing informed and practical opinion. Current trends and traditional questions are equally welcome. Many articles concern new electronic tools and resources, best practices in instruction and reference service, analysis of marketing of services, and effectiveness studies. Examples of topics within the scope of the journal include:
models of reference service
reference collection development
library patron attitudes and behaviors
library instruction and information literacy
education of reference librarians
assessment of reference services
diversity, equity and inclusion in librarian recruitment and implementation of reference services
collaborations with individuals and organizations.
The Reference Librarian is an international journal that welcomes research-based and applied articles pertaining to reference services in public, academic, and special libraries. The Research-based articles are supplemented by practice-based columns on various aspects of public and academic library reference concerns, such as transcripts of web-based reference transactions and practical, how-to tips for creation of electronic guides.
Peer Review Policy: All research articles in The Reference Librarian have undergone editorial screening and double-anonymized editorial screening and peer review. Article submissions from either co-editors or members of the editorial board are also evaluated using double-anonymized peer review and any conflict of interest is reported to the publisher for ethical guidance and transparency. All journal practice-based columns undergo editorial screening.
Publication office: Taylor & Francis, Inc., 530 Walnut Street, Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106.
Journal metrics
Usage
38K annual downloads/views
Citation metrics
2.1 (2023) CiteScore (Scopus)
Q2 CiteScore Best Quartile
0.761 (2023) SNIP
0.415 (2023) SJR
Speed/acceptance
0 days avg. from submission to first
decision
27% acceptance rate
Understanding and using journal metrics
Journal metrics can be a useful tool for readers, as well as for authors
who are deciding where to submit their next manuscript for publication.
However, any one metric only tells a part of the story of a journal’s
quality and impact. Each metric has its limitations which means that it
should never be considered in isolation, and metrics should be used to
support and not replace qualitative review.
We strongly recommend that you always use a number of metrics, alongside
other qualitative factors such as a journal’s aims & scope, its
readership, and a review of past content published in the journal. In
addition, a single article should always be assessed on its own merits and
never based on the metrics of the journal it was published in.
Usage and acceptance rate data above are for the last full calendar year
and are updated annually in February. Speed data is updated every six
months, based on the prior six months. Citation metrics are updated
annually mid-year. Please note that some journals do not display all of
the following metrics
(find out why).
Usage:
the total number of times articles in the journal were viewed by users
of Taylor & Francis Online in the previous calendar year, rounded to the
nearest thousand.
Citation Metrics
Impact Factor*:
the average number of citations received by articles published in the
journal within a two-year window. Only journals in the Clarivate Science
Citation Index Expanded (SCIE), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI),
Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI) and the Emerging Sources
Citation Index (ESCI) have an Impact Factor.
Impact Factor Best Quartile*:
the journal’s highest subject category ranking in the Journal Citation
Reports. Q1 = 25% of journals with the highest Impact Factors.
5 Year Impact Factor*:
the average number of citations received by articles in the journal
within a five-year window.
CiteScore (Scopus)†:
the average number of citations received by articles in the journal over
a four-year period.
CiteScore Best Quartile†:
the journal’s highest CiteScore ranking in a Scopus subject category. Q1
= 25% of journals with the highest CiteScores.
SNIP
(Source Normalized Impact per Paper):
the number of citations per paper in the journal, divided by citation
potential in the field.
SJR
(Scimago Journal Rank):
Average number of (weighted) citations in one year, divided by the
number of articles published in the journal in the previous three years.
Speed/acceptance
From submission to first decision:
the average (median) number of days for a manuscript submitted to the
journal to receive a first decision. Based on manuscripts receiving a
first decision in the last six months.
From submission to first post-review decision:
the average (median) number of days for a manuscript submitted to the
journal to receive a first decision if it is sent out for peer review.
Based on manuscripts receiving a post-review first decision in the last
six months.
From acceptance to online publication:
the average (median) number of days from acceptance of a manuscript to
online publication of the Version of Record. Based on articles published
in the last six months.
Acceptance rate:
articles accepted for publication by the journal in the previous
calendar year as percentage of all papers receiving a final decision.
Lauri Rebar- University Librarian, Instruction and Engagement Services, Florida Atlantic University Libraries, Boca Raton, FL
Co-Editor
Christine Bombaro- Librarian, Federal Library and Information Network, Library of Congress
Editorial Board Kay Cahill -Director, Information Technology & Collections, Vancouver Public Library Anna Carlin - Instructional Technology Librarian, Florida Gulf Coast University Anne Carr-Wiggin - NEOS Manager, Indigenous Initiatives, University of Alberta Libraries Bebe S. Chang -Archives & Digital Librarian, Nova Southeastern University - Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center Martin Garnar - Librarian of the College, Amherst College Stacy R. Gilbert - Communication and Information Librarian, University of Colorado, Boulder Robert Gold - Collection Management Librarian, Broward County Library Larissa Gordon -Scholarly Communications Librarian, Scott Memorial Library, Jefferson (Philadelphia University and Thomas Jefferson University) J. B. Hill - Director of Public Services, University of Arkansas at Little Rock Cindy Ingold - Women and Gender Resources Librarian, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Marcela Y. Isuster (she/her) - Coordinator, Digital Scholarship Hub, Humanities and Social Sciences Library, McGill University, Montreal, Canada Cynthia Keller - Learning Coordinator, University Libraries, University of Colorado, Boulder Gregory Laynor -Assistant Curator, Medical Library, New York University Grossman School of Medicine Joan K. Lippincott- Associate Executive Director, Coalition for Networked Information Stephanie Maatta -Director of Library Services, Full Sail University Yazdan Mansourian - Lecturer, School of Information Studies, Charles Sturt University Kristy Padron -Scholarly Communication Librarian, Florida Atlantic University M. Asim Qayyum - Lecturer, School of Information Studies, Charles Sturt University Jane Stimpson- Consultant, Learning Services, Massachusetts Library System, Marlborough, MA Anthony Verdesca -Reference Librarian, Warren Library, Palm Beach Atlantic University
Abstracting and indexing
The Reference Librarian is abstracted/indexed in: De Gruyter Saur; IBZ - Internationale Bibliographie der Geistes- und Sozialwissenschaftlichen Zeitschriftenliteratur; EBSCOhost; Academic Search Complete; H.W. Wilson; Education Source; FRANCIS; Library, Information science & Technology Abstracts (LISTA); MasterFILE Complete; TOC Premier; Elsevier BV; Scopus; OCLC; ArticleFirst; Library Literature; Periodica Islamica; ProQuest; Aerospace Database; Computer and Information Systems Abstracts; Corrosion Abstracts; Engineering Research Database; LISA: Library & Information Science Abstracts; Materials Business File; METADEX; Periodicals Index Online; and VINITI RAN.
All Library & Information Science journals are subject to the Zero Embargo Green OA Policy, which states that authors retain copyright of their article & are entitled to Green Open Access, allowing authors to post their Accepted Manuscripts to repositories, social media, personal webpages, etc. immediately upon publication. More information on the Zero Embargo Green OA Policy can be found here.
Open access
The Reference Librarian is a hybrid open access journal that is part of our Open Select publishing program, giving you the option to publish open access. Publishing open access means that your article will be free to access online immediately on publication, increasing the visibility, readership, and impact of your research.
Why choose open access?
Increase the discoverability and readership of your article
Make an impact and reach new readers, not just those with easy access to a research library
Freely share your work with anyone, anywhere
Comply with funding mandates and meet the requirements of your institution, employer or funder
Rigorous peer review for every open access article
Article Publishing Charges (APC)
If you choose to publish open access in this journal you may be asked to pay an Article Publishing Charge (APC). You may be able to publish your article at no cost to yourself or with a reduced APC if your institution or research funder has an open access agreement or membership with Taylor & Francis.
Taylor & Francis make every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the "Content") contained in our publications. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents (including the editor, any member of the editorial team or editorial board, and any guest editors), and our licensors, make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor & Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to, or arising out of the use of the Content. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions .
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