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Reference Sources and Services Jovita Kaur, Lovely Professional University

Notes
Unit 7: Virtual Reference Services

CONTENTS

Objectives
Introduction

7.1 Definition of Virtual Reference

7.2 Preparing for Virtual Reference Services
7.3 Provision of Service

7.4 Organization of Service
7.5 Summary

7.6 Keywords
7.7 Review Questions

7.8 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:
• Define virtual reference services
• Know about the Provision of service
• Explain organization of service.

Introduction
Technological developments have affected not only the format and sources of the information libraries
use to provide reference service, but also where we provide reference service. Libraries and their
resources have partially moved to the virtual world of the Internet. As a result, library patrons can
access library resources from outside of the physical library. In an effort to reach patrons accessing
the library via their computers, many libraries and library consortia are extending their reference
service to include virtual reference. Technology now allows users to submit their queries to the library
at any time from any place in the world. Virtual reference is responsive to patrons’ need for convenient
access to reference service.
The purpose of these guidelines is to assist libraries and consortia with implementing and maintaining
virtual reference services. The guidelines are meant to provide direction, without being over-
prescriptive. Variance among institutions will result in differences in the adherence to these
guidelines, but we hope to have cast the model broadly enough to provide a framework for virtual
reference which can be widely adopted and which will endure through many changes in the ways
in which libraries provide virtual reference services.

70 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY