Reference Commandments for the Twenty-First Century

In 1971 Nathan Josel of the Memphis Public Library provided a set of Ten Reference Commandments. The commandments were adages that most working reference librarians found some truth in as they spent years at the reference desk. As we cope with the challenges of the new millennium, it might be worth looking at how well these commandments stand up—whether some need modification to remain useful in a world of electronic reference. The commandments are in italics, followed by my comments and updated suggestions at the end.