Abstract
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, especially on those that consist of aggregated or compiled sources subjected to quality review, enhances reference service and information-seeking.
Originality value - The challenges associated with web-based information-seeking and research have never been addressed by the "less is more" hypothesis, that is, by the proposal that limiting the number of sites consulted can improve results.