"This book focuses on a key problem that occurs in a reference transaction at the very first step: finding out, quickly and efficiently what the user really wants to know. We offer readers a comprehensive way to tackle the problem though a multi-faceted approach that includes the following elements: explanatory text that summarizes key aspects of each topic together with relevant research on the topic; cases and exercises that allow for an interactive approach in learning new skills; and annotated bibliographies for further reading. Distinctive features include: 1. An approach that emphasizes teachable skills 2. Authentic examples from extensive research data 3. Cases and exercises useful for training 4. Engaging structure that draws the reader in 5. A detailed index that provides multiple ways to access the materials, including listings of cases and exercises. 6. A new feature New in the third edition will be input from practitioners on "Lessons Learned from My Most Difficult Reference Interview" - i.e., what happened, what they learned. We plan to ask some Super Reference Librarians--for example, some of the RUSA former presidents as well as other reference librarian friends--to provide vignettes, which in edited form we would locate in the section of the book to which they relate"--