Less is more: essential web resources that eliminate clutter and enhance service

Purpose – – The purpose of this paper is to propose that drawing on a smaller number of high‐quality web‐based resources can facilitate the work of reference librarians.Design/methodology/approach – Draws on the writer's experience as a reference librarian and teacher of MLIS students, and offers a list of 25 exemplary web resources that provide high quality and utility for both academic and public library service. There are five compelling reasons to emphasize the use of a smaller number of high‐quality web‐based resources: providing reinforcement and clarity about authoritative, practical and high‐quality resources for new reference librarians; facilitating the growing phenomenon of digital reference service; enhancing information literacy; supporting students of library science residing outside Western countries; and working to create greater equity by assisting librarians and patrons in areas with fewer resources to recognize and make use of web‐based materials.Findings – Focusing on fewer resources, ...