The Problems And Prospects Of Reference Services In Academic Libraries

The Problems And Prospects Of Reference Services In Academic Libraries

Abstract

This design is aimed at examining the problems and prospects of reference services in academic librarians, using the Anambra State University Uli lot library as a case study and how to estimate the strength and weakness of the reference services in an academic librarian. It’ll also help to know the problems caused by the library clientele and profile result toward the problems. This design work is design to know the functions of reference librarian and services to make prospect in the reference section of a library. Chapter one of this design works treats Background to the study, exploration questions, significance of the study, compass and limitation of the study, description of some terms as it concerns to this work. Chapter two treats literature review which covers areas like Reference accoutrements , staffing of the reference section, operation of reference section, problem facing reference section. Chapter three treat methodology which comprises of exploration design, population of the study, sample and slice technologies, exploration instrument, and system of data analysis. Chapter four treats data analysis, donation of result and discussion of findings. While Chapter five treats summary of the work conclusion and recommendation for farther study.

Chapter One

Preface

Background to the study

Reference service is one of the essential services of the library. Meaning reference service is the conditioning, places, functions and services rendered by the reference librarian constitute reference service. According to Prytherch,( 2002) He states that “ reference service deal with the provision of reference work by library staff ”.

According to Ohio Library Council,( 2005) Reference services is “ A way for libraries to meet the requirements of their stoner( clientele) communities ”. Reference service involves instructing guests to operate singly and at own pace to uses electronic and print coffers of the library, it also involved particular backing given to the druggies to enable them meet their requirements.

James( 2005) states that reference work started in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to respond to several forces and trends. In the coming several decades from the 1930s through the 1950s, a new technology that provides, access to the library to a lager member and important wider variety of people was introduce. That technology is obviously, the telephone and the reference literature of the day speaks of its advantages but also its challenges. For illustration, having distinguished between “ important questions coming by via the telephone those business men and involving important motifs from less important ” bones from club woman planning programs, environment questions like should this service be consolidated or dispersed? Should it be staffed else from the office? What information coffers should be devoted to it? And numerous further.

According to( ALA RUSA, 2008) reference service includes reference deals and other conditioning that involve the creation, operation, and assessment of information or exploration coffers, tools and services. Creation and operation of information coffers includes the development and conservation of exploration collections, exploration companion, canons, database, web- spots, search machines etc that patrons can use singly, in- house or ever to satisfy their information needs. Assessment conditioning include the dimension and evaluation of reference work, coffers and services.

According to Esharenana,( 2008) sees reference section as that section of library which give a variety of services and perform functions necessary to help the druggies including provision of information service on demand and in furnishing institution in the use of library, named of documents and association of reference accoutrements .

According to Obiora,( 2004) states that reference sources are publications – book andnon-book accoutrements consulted only within the library for specific data or definite piece of information on a subject. There are two types of reference sources, general reference sources which include Encyclopedia, Directories, wordbooks, Yearbooks and Handbook while special or subject reference sources are Mathematics, Biology, and Library Science.

According to Esharenana,( 2008) states that reference question is a judgment , expression or word posed by a patron to the reference librarian asking for information or backing in order to meet the need.

According to Ramum( 2003) reference policy is regarded as a kind of set of plan and as a kind of frame within which reference staff and clienteles work.

Ahi Rusa,( 2003) states that a reference librarians is person that provides reference service. He should posses a wide range of intellectual interest, desire to help the patrons, faculty for organizing documents capability to search literature and acceptable knowledge of the library and external coffers.

According to Scott( 2007) is pubic service counter where professional librarian give library druggies with direction on how to make use of library accoutrements , advise on library collection and services and moxie on multiple kinds of information from multiple sources.

According to Anderson( 2005) digital reference is a service and the reference sale is a computer intermediated communication.

Statement of Problems

The end of this study is to critically dissect the problems and prospect towards the services in the reference section and inversely to view the problems that have averted it from executing effectively and efficiently the bibliographical functions in the library.

One observes that the veritably rapid-fire expansion of our reference sources have reached a stage of concern. One finds that the library doesn’t attack the problem of accession of over- to- date reference accoutrements like journals to keep the clienteles( scholars and speakers indeed the parent institution) abreast of the new trends in their colorful field of study.

Development of the reference collection and association which effect in the backbone of a reference eservice should also be looked into. A maximum attention would inversely be paid to the applicability of the exiting services, to see how it meet the requirements of the patrons, because the effective use of these accoutrements depends on the services handed by the reference labor force or librarians.

Purpose of Study

The purpose of this study is to know the problems and prospect of reference services. thus the experimenter will be suitable to find out the following purposes

To know if the reference section of the academic library is well organized.

ii. To know if there reference services are being rendered in line with other reference services in other libraries.

iii. To identify the strength and weakness of the library’s reference collection because any effective reference service may not be doable without an applicable and acceptable reference collection.

iv. To enable the experimenter carry out the findings so that to make recommendation for effective reference services in the library.

To take the library to another position through the reference services.

Exploration Questions

For the success of this study, this study demands an answer to the following questions

Is the reference section of the academic library adequately organized to perform its functions?

ii. To what extent can the reference accoutrements in the library said to be applicable for the requirements of the clientele?

iii. Are the reference services being rendered in- line with other reference services in other libraries?

iv. Does the library make available all the useful reference accoutrements demanded by the druggies for them?

Does the library clientele find it easy with the reference librarian in terms of exploration?