Page 37 - DLIS105_REFERENCE_SOURCES_AND_SERVICES

Reference Sources and Services Seema Sharma, Lovely Professional University

Notes

Unit 3: Reference Services

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
3.1 Definition of Reference Services

3.1.1 Present Scenario
3.2 Evolving Tools and Changing Communities
3.3 The Future of Reference Service
3.4 Kinds and Nature of Reference Service

3.4.1 Ready Reference Service
3.4.2 Long Range Reference Service
3.5. Library Reference Desk
3.5.1 Purpose and Usage
3.5.2 Resources

3.6 Summary
3.7 Keywords
3.8 Review Questions
3.9 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:
• Know about reference services
• Define kinds and nature of reference service
• Explain library reference desk.

Introduction

The word “reference” in this context refers to the task of providing assistance to library users in
finding information, answering questions, and otherwise fulfilling users’ information needs. Reference
work often but not always involves using reference works, such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc.
This form of reference work expands reference services from the physical reference desk to a “virtual”
reference desk where the patron could be writing from home, work or a variety of other locations.

32 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY