The Reference Room?
Yes, the reference room. I began my career as a reference publisher, editor, writer, and educator back in those days before the existence of the Word Wide Web. So, it should come as no surprise that libraries were my home away from home; the Reference Room always my happy place.
Trading tips and skills with the reference librarians across Long Island and throughout New York City was a daily pleasure. From local libraries to universities, the interactions sometimes took on the semblance of intellectual flirtation. Nevertheless, I remained steadfast in my wedding vows despite the allure.
Halcyon days, indeed!
“Reliable Information”—An Oxymoron?
The standards for what used to pass as reliable information have been watered down considerably since then. Blame it on the accelerated nature of how facts are processed. Fault the increased reliance of the information gatekeepers on profit over accuracy. And then there’s our reliance on the Internet where everything is absolutely not true!
Even the contemporary print and electronic versions of some of the venerable bastions of reliable reference “from back in the day” have, over time, become far from reliable and all too often incomplete or incorrect.
Moreover, if we are digesting faulty facts, how can we make reliable decisions? Garbage in; garbage out! And that questionable information affects our choices on everything from health, to finances, to politics.
Irreverent and Actual Reference
So, accuracy actually is “a thing” for me. I try to keep content as well-sourced as possible. And I also try to keep it entertaining.
In other words, with quotes I always try to find the primary or original source. With general information, I use as many sources as possible that agree on its accuracy. And rather than rely on social media rants, I look for objective sources.
As with the Food for Thought books, these articles will sometimes discuss and address reference. That is to say, some of the rudimentary concepts which make reference … well … reference will be explained.
“Really?” you ask. “Snore!”
Consider this culinary example as a palatable metaphor.
You can eat something and find it delicious. For many folks, that’s more than enough.
Then there are those people who crave that special insight into how a recipe is prepared. They yearn to learn the ingredients which make one Italian grandmother’s Sunday sauce different from the next. Something about that knowledge adds a layer of flavor which elevates their appreciation and enjoyment of food!
You don’t need to become a master chef to savor that flavor! It comes with developing a taste for it by eating. For some, the pleasure also comes from learning techniques and ingredients.
Becoming a Critical Consumer of Information
From the news, books, film, music, social media, and Great Aunt Tilly, there’s a lot of sketchy stuff passing itself off as factual. Nuanced understanding of the information we digest every day (and its sources) changes our comprehension and appreciation of it, too!
Being able to assess what we rely upon for facts makes us better consumers of information. It makes us critical thinkers. And it also makes us better able to share that knowledge with others.
And who knows? Maybe, in this small way, more people, as a whole, can better learn to discern fact from fiction. Think of how that could improve those family dinner conversations.
I know … It’s a big ask!
How About YOU!
What’s your happy place? Do you have a special library that sets the perfect mood for you? Have libraries been a part of your life? How so?
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Read! Enjoy! Always remember to Savor Life’s Flavors!