Reference and Information Services Dr Dania Bilal IS 530 Spring 2006 Definitions Information Reference service is the provision of information guidance and instruction to users Reference librarians information specialists are intermediaries between information sources and users Purposes Assist in meeting user information needs simple and complex defined and ill defined Educate users in effective and efficient use of resources Types of Services Digital reference Fee based Dialog searches Selective Dissemination of Information SDI Reader s advisory User instruction Other services Types of Reference Queries Ready Reference queries Known as closed fact finding or simple Typically they do not involve research Have prescribed target answers One or two sources may provide the answer Ready Reference Queries APTs Answer providing tools APTs almanacs dictionaries maps directories encyclopedias atlases etc APTs can be print books encyclopedias newspapers etc electronic databases online catalogs Web documents etc Nature of Ready Reference Queries Usually direct and straightforward Might require little negotiation when vague or uncertain Negotiation is the interaction between a user and an intermediary to identify the exact true information need Research Based or Complex Queries Nature of Research Queries Open ended Multi faceted Require more time than RR queries to solve Require a variety of APTs to use Research Queries APTs Journals magazines books encyclopedias government documents theses etc Sources can be print and electronic Research Queries Examples What should we teach children about copyright and plagiarism Students to give examples User Instruction Type of programs orientation Web based class integrated one on one class related Other Services Fee based Online searching using commercially available databases Term paper assistance individualized and or group based Other Services Readers advisory Guidance about selection of readings for issues or problems patrons face in their lives Prevalent in public and school libraries Other Services SDI Selective Dissemination of Information Customized service offered to researchers in academic and special libraries based on user interest profile Digital virtual reference Remote reference assistance provided to users Chat software email Push technology Class Interaction Share your experience on requesting assistance to find information in any type of setting Class Interaction Visit http www ipl org Familiarize yourself with this digital library Answer these questions What reference tools are available for kids and how did you find them What link would you use to ask a question via email