Reference services

Reference Services

Somipam R. ShimrayResearch Scholar (JRF)Dept. of LISPondicherry Central UniversityPondicherryIndia

Contents

• Reference Services• Need of Reference Services • Functions of Reference Services• Reference Librarian• Types of Reference Services

– Short/Ready Reference Service– Long Range Reference Service

• Organization of Reference Section/Department• Reference Desk - Key Performance Indicators• Conclusions• References

Conceptual

• Reference service started from 1896 ALA - USA.• Indian by Dr. S.R Ranganathan 1926 in Madras University library.• Dr. S.R Ranganathan defines reference service as “the process of

establishing contact between a reader and its document in a personal way”.

• Assistance in the use of resources of the library. - A.B. Kroeger• Reference work in an organized effort on the part of the libraries in

aid of the most expeditious and fruitful use of their libraries. - ALA• Reference questions range from the simple fact-finding type to

complex questions requiring consultation, and often analysis, of one or more information sources.

• Reference service is a process in which readers receive their information through personal contact of the Reference librarian.

Reference Services

• James I. Wyer has recognized three theories of reference services namely Conservative, Moderate, Liberal.

• Samuel Rodhstein has recognized three theories of reference services namely Minimum/Minimal, Middling, Maximum.

• Organize the material effectively and to teach the enquirer to help themselves.

• Provide aid to readers in locating and using books, finding facts and giving information whenever possible.

• Emphasizes the delivery of specific, relevant information to the user by the reference librarian.

• Katz’s (1969) classified Reference Services of “direct” and “indirect” reference is helpful in this regard. – Direct reference is a person-to-person relationship. – Indirect reference consists of behind-the-scenes activities:

preparation of bibliographies, CAS, SDI, Current Contents etc.

Need of Reference Services

• It save the time.• It gives relevant information to the enquirer.• It is a valuable services for the research scholars.• Answer the queries of the readers.• Provide personal guidance how to consult the reference sources.• Encourage the optimum use of the library collections.• Cooperation between Readers and the Staffs.

Reference Librarian

• A person who provides reference services is called a reference librarian.

• Interviewing the reference librarian not only tries to understand the specific information need(s), but also collects information about the user.

• Based on the reference interview, the reference librarian is able to filter the retrieved information in order to pick up the most appropriate source(s).

Qualities - Reference Librarian •Well qualified•Patience•Good psychological behaviour•Up-to-date•Sound mind and thinking•Liberal attitude•Good personality •Sound health•Administrative expérience

Functions of Reference Services

ALA stated six functions of Reference Services1.The supervision function – Organization of facilities, selection of reference materials, direction of personnel and study of library users.2.The information function – RL should answer all types of questions and should be able to produce the source that would answer the questions. 3.The guidance function – Recommend good books, periodicals, Audios, Videos etc. in various field.4.The instruction function

1. Use of OPAC/catalogue, location of materials etc. 2. Orientation programme.

5.The bibliographic function – Preparing list of books in various subjects.6.Appraisal function – Possession of right materials and knowledge of how to get the most out of it.

Types of Reference Services

1. Ready Reference Service• American Library Association called it “Direct Reference Service.” • Ready reference service is a reference service finished in a very short time

– in a moment if possible i.e. between 30 seconds and 30 minutes.• It is also called fact finding services, because it mainly deals with

answering fact finding types of questions.

Reference Services

Long Range Reference Service

Short/Ready Reference Service

Ready Reference Service

Queries - Ready reference service.•Answered on the table of Reference librarian•Simple •Fact-finding •Pinpointed•Short answers•Which are responded within short time•Involve short research process Examples •How many states are in Indian territory?•Pondicherry independence day.•Address of Pondicherry Central University.•What is the date of birth of Mahatma Gandhi?

Need for Ready Reference Service

SRR stated three main reasons1. Nature of reference book2. Nature of enquiry

a) Absent enquirersb) Casual visitorsc) Regular customers

3. National economy

Procedure in Ready Reference Service

1. Preparation2. Services3. Assimilation

1. Preparationa) Keeping knowledge about the department and its activities:

i. Knowledge of reference sources.ii. Maintaining the reference counter and reference diary.iii. Maintaining with current knowledge.

b) Organizing the Reference department:i. Arranging the reference sources systematically.ii. Knowledge of publication of new reference sources and the latest editions

of reference sources.c) Arranging the literature which has not been organized but is very useful for

ready reference service.

Procedure in Ready Reference Service

2. ServicesAfter preparation, reference service is provided. i. Analyzing the reader’s query.ii. Guide the reader how to consult the reference source, so that reader

may consult the reference source independently.3. Assimilationi. Recording of information received.ii. Sharing the views and efforts made in tracing the information’s.

Ready Reference Service sources

• Dictionaries• Handbooks• Census reports• Yearbooks• Biographies• Gazetteer• Atlas• Encyclopedias, etc.

Long range Reference Service

2. Long range Reference Service• This service may take more than 30 minutes and the duration

depends upon the user needs.• The process of information may take hours, days, weeks, months

and years.• LRRS may start with RRS source.Methods of Long range Reference Service1. CAS2. SDI3. Documentation Services4. Abstracting and indexing services5. Translation services


Queries - Long range Reference Service•Complex •Detailed•Involve long research process •Involve more than one reference sourceExample•Kargil war history•Indian Independence struggle


Need for Long Range Reference Service•Growth of literature•Saving the time of users•Non-conventional forms of literature•Linguistic reason•To get material on inter-library loanPreparation for Long Range Reference Service•Knowledge of the subject•Scanning of source of information•Gathering of informationLong range Reference Service Sources•Periodicals•Newspapers •Reports•Books •Theses and dissertations etc.

Organization of Reference Section/Department

• Location of reference section• Reference librarian and staff• Reference sources• Reference service and referral service• Reference records• Evaluation

Reference Desk - Key Performance Indicators

• Effective teamwork• Intellectual accessibility of service• Physical accessibility of service• Provision of relevant information• Use of service• User satisfaction

Conclusions

• Establish contact between a reader and its document in a personal way.

• James I. Wyer - Conservative, Moderate, Liberal.• Samuel Rodhstein - Minimal, Middling, Maximum.• Reference services

– Short/Ready Reference Service– Long Range Reference Service

Suggested Readings

1. Sharma, C.K. Reference Service and Sources. Atlantic Publishers, 2006. 2. Cassell, KA & Hiremath, U. Reference and Information Services in the

21st Century: An Introduction. 2nd Ed, Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc, 2009.

3. Gobinda G. Chowdhury. Digital libraries and reference services: present and future. Journal of Documentation, 58(3), 2002, pp. 258-283.

4. Katz, W. (2002). Introduction to reference work. 8th ed. Boston: McGraw Hill.

5. Riedling, A. (2000). Reference skills for the school library media specialist: tools and tips. Worthington, OH: Linworth.

6. Rader, H. B. (n.d.). Reference Services as a Teaching Function. Retrieved 01 20, 2017, from World wide web: https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/7126/librarytrendsv29i1i_opt.pdf

Education

Reference services