Reference Service : Definitions - Queries - Types of Reference Service - Some Important Questions Answer -Short Note

Reference Service

Definitions - Queries - Types of Reference Service -

Some Important Questions Answer - Short Note

Concept :Reference Service is a Process in Which reader receive their Information through Personal Contact of the Reference Librarian. Samuel Green, the librarian of the Worcester Free Public Library in Massachusetts, introduced the concept of reference service when he suggested that the librarian should assist the user in the selection of books. (Genz, 1998). Reference Service is most important Service of the library. Reference service is defined simply to provide personal assistance to library user seeking Information.

Reference Service started from 1896 by ALA. In India Reference Service started by Dr. S R Ranganathan in 1926 In Madras University Library.

Acc. to Ranganathan

“The Process of establishing contact between a reader and its document in personal way”

. Ranganathan has also emphasized reference service

“providing the right book to the right reader at the right time.”

Theories On Reference Service –

James I. Wyer has recognized three theories of reference services

Conservative - It limits the help to pointing the way only and so it is traditional in nature
Moderate - The moderate reference service goes beyond providing mere instruction to actually helping the reader in using the book or finding the document and facts, etc.
Liberal - It includes the provision of the full and direct supply of reliable information to the readers.

Katz’s (1969) classified Reference Services of “direct” and “indirect”

Direct reference is Person to person relationship.
Indirect reference consists of behind the scene activities

Types of reference Service -

Dr. S R Ranganathan Classified reference Service in Two Types

Short/Ready Reference Service – Most of the ready reference service are of the nature of fact finding types that can be finished in a very short time . It is also called fact finding service .

Queries -

Answer on the table of reference Librarian
Simple
Fact finding
Pinpointed
Short answer
Involved short research process

Example –

Where is Text book Section ?
What is timing of Library ?
What is date of birth of Mahatma Gandhi ?

Ready reference Source –

Dictionaries
Handbook
Yearbook
Atlas
Directories
Encycloipedia
Bibliographies

Long Range Reference Service : The Process of Information may take hours, days Weeks.

The search in The long range reference service starts at the reference books The search in the long range reference service starts at the reference books and then goes to the ordinary books, pamphlets, reports, articles in periodicals etc. the scope of long range reference service started expanding. Now bibliographical service, referral service, translation service, etc are considered long range reference services

Queries –

Complex
Detail
Involved long Research Process

Example :

Kargil war History
Indian Independence Struggle.

Need of Reference Service :

save the time
It is a Valuable Service
Cooperation between readers and staff.
Promote and support Library Services .
Answer the queries of the readers.
It gives relevant Information to the User.

Different Activities –

Telling the Readers of the availability of a particular document.
Selection of books ,online resources
Fact Finding from Print or E resources
Telling the users how to access e-resources or card catalogue .
Information Literacy
Promoting reference Service
Answering reference Queries

Reference Librarian - A Person who Provides reference Service is called a reference Librarian.

Qualities -

well Qualified
Up to date
Good personality
Good Communication Skills
User Friendly
Patience

Reference Desk - The reference desk or information desk of a library is a public service counter where professional librarians provide library users with direction to library materials, advice on library collections and services, and expertise on multiple kinds of information from multiple sources.

Different mode of providing Reference

Face to face Reference Service
Virtual reference Service

Email
Chat
SMS

Reference Service through Telephone

Reference Queries and Information Sources

Sr.No.	Queries	Type of Sources	Examples
01	Books published in a country; books published on a country; books published by citizens of a country	Bibliographical Sources	. INB(Indian National Bibliography) ii. BNB(British National Bibliography), etc.
02	Meaning , definition, pronunciation, etc. of any word.	General Dictionaries	i. Oxford English Dictionary .ii. Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary
03	Style of writing references, citations	Manuals	i. Chicago Manual of Style ii. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers
04	Information about records created and maintained worldwide	records created and maintained worldwide Almanacs	i. Guinees World Records ii. Limca Book of Records
05	Books available in market on any particular subject	Trade Bibliography	i. Indian Books in Print ii. Whitaker’s Books in Print
06	Current happenings in India	Current Information Source	i. Asian News Digest
07	Statistics on population, education, income, health	Statistical Source	i. Census of India ii. Statistical Abstract India iii. United Nations Statistical Yearbook
08	Meaning of any medical word	Subject Dictionaries	i. Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary
09	Current happenings in India	Current Information Source	Asian News Digest