Matthew Locke Saxton

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Since acquiring a Ph.D. in Philosophy from UCLA in 2000, Matthew Saxton has helped to shape the contemporary field of Library and Information Science through evaluating variables that influence "reference transactions". His interest in reference work lead him to pursue positions in libraries and academia, where he continues to immerse himself, and students, in the study of research and library science. Saxton's research examines the factors that influence the interactions between people and technology within the evolving infrastructure of the information science field. His analysis of reference transactions received notable attention after he published the findings in a book entitled, “Understanding Reference Transactions: Transforming an Art into a Science,” which he co-authored with UCLA professor Dr. John V. Richardson, Jr. This analysis breaks down the structure of the reference transaction to examine elements of accuracy, satisfaction and utility. The authors found that the two variables having the greatest impact upon reference transactions were the attributes of the library “user’’ and the behavior of the reference librarian.

 

Academic History

Matthew earned a Bachelor of Arts with a focus in History and Anthropology in 1991 and his interest in working with manuscripts and historical artifacts developed about a year later when he found employment at the Simon Wiesenthal Center Library & Archives in Los Angeles. He obtained his Master of Library Science degree from UCLA in 1994 where he also interned at the University’s Archives Center. Saxton was a librarian at the Beverly Hills and Anaheim Public Library during his graduate studies. He went on to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy at UCLA's Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, which he received in 2000. For two years of his Doctorate studies, Saxton was a librarian at the Neally Library at Santa Ana College and then taught for two years as an Assistant Professor at the college. Since acquiring his Ph.D., Saxton has worked as an Assistant Professor at University of Washington's Information School in Seattle where he works with library scholar Joe Janes. Saxton was instrumental in implementing the first core classes in information services at the information school, where he also teaches courses in research methods. He has co-authored two articles with Melissa Gross that focused on the initial look into what he calls the "imposed query," which is when a library user is accessing information on behalf of someone else (their examination indicates that 25% of the queries at public library reference desks are imposed). Saxton proposes that research into this relatively unstudied segment of the population will benefit the development of future information programs and services (Gross & Saxton, 2001).

Among Saxton's current projects, he is studying library services in small high schools and leadership roles of teacher-librarians. He also is studying the organizational model of reference service implemented at Seattle Public Library (personal communication, November 13, 2006).

 

The Influence of Library Science

Saxton revealed that his graduate studies at UCLA were the catalyst for his developing a career in reference work and librarianship. "There, I was able to blend my interests in history, culture and research together." He described the experience of acquiring his MLIS as having “opened up all kinds of things I had not considered before. I became interested in statistics, behavior and social phenomenon. The field broadened my perspectives to learn about the structure of knowledge, which I find extremely exciting (personal communication, November 2, 2006)."

 

Contact Information

More details about Matthew can be found at his web site that he updates periodically.

Monographs

Saxton, M. L. & Richardson Jr., J. V. (2002). Understanding Reference Transactions: Transforming an Art into a Science. New York: Academic Press.

Reviews:

• Wilson, T. (2003). [Review of the book Understanding Reference Transactions: Transforming an Art into a Science] Information Research 8(3), R098.

 

• Green, S.W. (2003). [Review of the book Understanding Reference Transactions: Transforming an Art into a Science] Portal: Libraries and the Academy 3(July), 535-536.

 

• Whisner, M. (2003). [Review of the book Understanding Reference Transactions: Transforming an Art into a Science] Law Library Journal 95(Spring), 295-301.

 

• Magnussen, A. (2003). [Review of the book Understanding Reference Transactions: Transforming an Art into a Science] The Australian Library Journal 52(4), 399-400.

 

• Lakos, A. (2004). [Review of the book Understanding Reference Transactions: Transforming an Art into a Science] Journal of Academic Librarianship 30(1), 90.

 

• Agosto, D. E. (2004). [Review of the book Understanding Reference Transactions: Transforming an Art into a Science] JASIST 55(4), 365-366.

 

• Pomerantz, J. (2004). [Review of the book Understanding Reference Transactions: Transforming an Art into a Science] Library Quarterly 74(3), 490-492.

Refereed Articles and Book Chapters

• Eric M. M. & Nathan, L. P. & and Saxton, M. L. (2007). Barriers to information seeking in school libraries: Conflicts in perceptions and practice. Information Research. In press.

 

• Saxton, M. L. & Naumer, C. M. & Fisher, K. E. (2006). 2-1-1 Information services: Outcomes assessment, benefits-cost analysis, and policy issues. Government Information Quarterly 23(3), In press.

 

• Fisher, K. E. & Saxton, M. L. & Edwards, P. M. & Mai, J. (2006). Seattle public library as place: Reconceptualizing space, community, and information at the central library. In (John Bushman and Gloria J. Leckie, eds.) The Library as Place: History, Community, and Culture, (In press) Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited.

 

• Saxton, M. L. (2006). Meta-analysis in library and information science: Method, history, and recommendations for reporting research. Library Trends, 55(1), In press.

 

• Gross, M. & Saxton, M. L. (2002). Integrating the imposed query into the evaluation of reference service: A dichotomous analysis of user ratings. Library and Information Science Research 24(3), 251-263.

 

• Gross, M. & Saxton, M. L. (2001). Who wants to know? Imposed queries in the public library. Public Libraries 40(3), 170-176.

 

• Saxton, M. L. & Greiner, R. D. (1998). Public participation in strategic planning of library services: Soliciting, assessing, and balancing community and staff input. Public Libraries 37(2), 126-132.

 

• Saxton, M. L. (1997). Reverence service evaluation and meta-analysis: Findings and methodological issues. Library Quarterly 67, 267-289.

 

Non-Refereed Publications

• Saxton, M. (2000). The millennium research agenda project: Reverence services. Library Quarterly 70(1). xi-xiv.

 

• Coffman, S. & Saxton, M. L. (1999). Staffing the reference desk at the largely digital library. Reference Librarian 66. 141-161.

 

Book and Software Reviews

• Saxton, M. L. (2001). Reviewing ISI Researcher Inc.'s software Pro-Cite 5.0, End Note 4.0 and Reference Manager 9.5. [Review of software Pro-Cite 5.0, End Note 4.0 and Reference Manager 9.5] Library Quarterly 71, 288-289.

 

• Saxton, M. L. (2000). [Review of the book The Professor and the Madman] Library Quarterly 70, 280-281.

• Saxton, M. L. (1999). End Notes 3.0. [Review of the software End Notes 3.0] Library Quarterly 69, 287-288.

 

• Saxton, M. L. (1999). [Review of the book The Reference Interview as a Creative Art, 2nd Edition] Library Quarterly 69, 279-281.

 

• Saxton, M. L. (1998). [Review of the book Success Factors for Fee-Based Information Services & How to Satisfy and Delight your Customer: How to Manage for Customer Value] Library Quarterly 68, 240-242.

 

• Saxton, M. L. (1997). End Notes 2.0 and Pro Cite 3.1. , [Review of software End Notes 2.0 & Pro Cite 3.1] Library Quarterly 67, 189-191.

 

Matthew D. Wittmer

November of 2006