Charles Anderson has been a freelance indexer, reference librarian, and library administrator for thirty years. He holds a Master’s Degree in Library Science from Florida State University. During his library career he has published extensively in the periodical literature and contributed chapters to books on the subject of reference services, indexing software and computer programs. From 1984 to 1999 he edited the column, “The Exchange” in RQ (later RUSQ), the official journal of the Reference and User Services Division of the American Library Association. From 1986 to 1992 he wrote various monthly columns for Wilson Library Bulletin. His first articles were sold to PC Magazine in 1985.
His book publications include Puzzles and Essays from "The Exchange": Tricky Reference Questions (described by one reviewer as "the best bathroom trivia book ever," ) and Reference Librarianship: Notes from the Trenches (with Peter Sprenkle), both published by Haworth Press Inc.
Earlier careers include working for the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State, Railroad Reservation Agent, Laboratory Technologist, and the U.S. Army.