Online pathfinders: Toward an experience‐centered model | Emerald Insight Books and journals Case studies Expert Briefings Open Access Advanced search Online pathfinders: Toward an experience‐centered model William Hemmig (Blanche and Irving Laurie Music Library, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA) Reference Services Review ISSN: 0090-7324 Publication date: 1 March 2005 Abstract Purpose – Looks at the pathfinder approach to library instruction, which was developed in the 1960s by Patricia Knapp. Knapp's system focused, not on the simple provision of answers to questions, but on the teaching of the effective use of the library and its resources– in other words, on the finding of one's “way” in the library. Design/methodology/approach – A traditional theoretical model for the creation and evaluation of pathfinders (subject research guides) can be identified through study of the literature. This model, expressed in the design criteria of consistency, selectivity, transparency and accessibility, sprang from an impulse to serve the inexperienced user by emulating or facilitating the user's search process. Findings – A gap in this model can be detected, in the form of a missing multi‐dimensional picture of the user and the user's experience of the information service via the pathfinder. In an attempt to fill the gap, literature examining information behavior, the search process, the design of user‐centered services, and the information retrieval interaction is discussed. Originality/value – An experience‐centered model for online research guide design and evaluation is derived from the findings. Keywords Academic libraries Research Information management Information retrieval Information services Internet Citation Hemmig, W. (2005), "Online pathfinders: Toward an experience‐centered model", Reference Services Review, Vol. 33 No. 1, pp. 66-87. https://doi.org/10.1108/00907320510581397 Download as .RIS Publisher : Emerald Group Publishing Limited Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited Please note you do not have access to teaching notes You may be able to access teaching notes by logging in via Shibboleth, Open Athens or with your Emerald account. Login If you think you should have access to this content, click the button to contact our support team. Contact us To read the full version of this content please select one of the options below You may be able to access this content by logging in via Shibboleth, Open Athens or with your Emerald account. Login To rent this content from Deepdyve, please click the button. Rent from Deepdyve If you think you should have access to this content, click the button to contact our support team. Contact us Opens in new window Opens in new window Opens in new window Opens in new window © 2020 Emerald Publishing Limited Services Authors Opens in new window Editors Opens in new window Librarians Opens in new window Researchers Opens in new window Reviewers Opens in new window About About Emerald Opens in new window Working for Emerald Opens in new window Contact us Opens in new window Publication sitemap Policies and information Privacy notice Site policies Modern Slavery Act Opens in new window Chair of Trustees governance statement Opens in new window COVID-19 policy Opens in new window × Support & Feedback Manage cookies We’re listening — tell us what you think Something didn’t work… Report bugs here All feedback is valuable Please share your general feedback Member of Emerald Engage? You can join in the discussion by joining the community or logging in here. You can also find out more about Emerald Engage. Join us on our journey Platform update page Visit emeraldpublishing.com/platformupdate to discover the latest news and updates Questions & More Information Answers to the most commonly asked questions here