LECTURE NOTES: LIS 113 – BASIC REFERENCE TOOLS AND SERVICES
(Expanded & Detailed Version)
1. Introduction to Reference Services
1.1 Definition and Importance
Definition:
Reference services are specialized assistance provided by librarians to help users access,
evaluate, and utilize information resources effectively. These services can be delivered in-person,
via phone, email, chat, or virtual platforms.
Importance:
- Ensures users find accurate and relevant information.
- Supports education, research, and lifelong learning.
- Enhances the library’s role as an information hub.
1.2 Types of Reference Services
(A) Ready-Reference Services
- Purpose: Provide quick answers to factual questions.
- Examples:
- "What is the population of Nigeria?" → Use an almanac or statistical database.
- "Who wrote 'Things Fall Apart'?" → Consult a literary database or encyclopedia.
- Tools Used: Dictionaries, encyclopedias, directories.
(B) Research Assistance
- Purpose: Help with in-depth academic or professional research.
- Examples:
- Guiding a student on how to find peer-reviewed articles for a thesis.
- Assisting a researcher in locating primary sources.
- Tools Used: Academic databases (JSTOR, PubMed), citation tools (Zotero).
(C) Directional Assistance
- Purpose: Help users navigate the library.
- Examples:
- "Where is the psychology section?"
- "How do I print a document?"
(D) Reader’s Advisory
- Purpose: Recommend books based on user preferences.
- Examples:
- "I like mystery novels; what do you recommend?"
- "Can you suggest books for a 10-year-old interested in science?"
1.3 Roles of a Reference Librarian
| Role | Description | Example |
|------------------------|----------------|-------------|
| Information Intermediary | Connects users to resources. | Helps a user find a rare journal article.
|
| Educator | Teaches information literacy. | Conducts a workshop on database searching. |
| Evaluator | Assesses source credibility. | Explains why Wikipedia isn’t always reliable. |
| Technology Guide | Assists with digital tools. | Shows how to use an e-book platform. |
2. Reference Sources
2.1 Categories of Reference Materials
(A) Primary Sources
- Definition: Original, unedited materials.
- Examples:
- Diaries, letters, speeches (e.g., The Diary of Anne Frank).
- Raw research data, patents, court rulings.
(B) Secondary Sources
- Definition: Interpret or analyze primary sources.
- Examples:
- Textbooks, review articles, documentaries.
(C) Tertiary Sources
- Definition: Summarize or compile information from primary/secondary sources.
- Examples:
- Encyclopedias (Britannica), bibliographies, manuals.
2.2 Types of Reference Tools (Detailed)
| Type | Description | Examples | When to Use |
|-------------------|----------------|-------------|------------------|
| Dictionaries | Word meanings, pronunciation, etymology. | Oxford English Dictionary (OED) |
Defining terms, checking spelling. |
| Encyclopedias | Overview of topics (general or subject-specific). | Encyclopedia Britannica,
Wikipedia (with caution) | Getting background info on a topic. |
| Almanacs | Annual facts, statistics, events. | World Almanac, CIA Factbook | Finding
demographic data. |
| Atlases | Maps, geographical data. | National Geographic Atlas | Locating countries, climate
zones. |
| Bibliographies | Lists of books/articles on a subject. | MLA Bibliography | Fi
Definition of Reference Services
Reference services in a library context are the assistance provided by librarians or information
professionals to help users find, access, and use information resources effectively. These services
are designed to support research, learning, and general information needs by guiding users to the
most appropriate tools, materials, or databases. Reference services can be delivered in person,
over the phone, via email, or through online chat platforms.
Key Components of Reference Services
1.Information Assistance
- Helping users locate specific facts, data, or resources.
- Example: A librarian assists a student in finding the population statistics of a country using an
almanac or an online database.
2.Research Guidance
- Providing support for academic or professional research projects.
- Example: A librarian helps a researcher identify relevant journals and databases for a paper
on renewable energy.
3.Instruction in Resource Use
- Teaching users how to use library catalogs, databases, and other tools.
- Example: A librarian conducts a workshop on how to search for articles in JSTOR.
4.Referral Services
- Directing users to external resources or experts when the library does not have the required
information.
- Example: A librarian refers a user to a local historical society for archival materials not
available in the library.
5.Reader’s Advisory
- Recommending books or materials based on a user’s interests or needs.
- Example: A librarian suggests novels similar to The Hunger Games for a teen reader.
Types of Reference Services
1.In-Person Reference
- Face-to-face assistance at a reference desk.
- Example: A user approaches the reference desk to ask for help finding books on Python
programming.
2.Virtual Reference
- Online assistance via chat, email, or video calls.
- Example: A user emails the library asking for help accessing e-books, and a librarian
responds with step-by-step instructions.
3.Ready Reference
- Quick answers to straightforward questions.
- Example: A librarian looks up the definition of a word in a dictionary for a user.
4.In-Depth Reference
- Extended assistance for complex research questions.
- Example: A librarian helps a graduate student develop a search strategy for their thesis on
climate change.
Examples of Reference Services in Action
1.Academic Library
- A student is writing a paper on the history of the Civil Rights Movement. The librarian helps
them locate primary sources, such as speeches and photographs, in the library’s digital archives
and recommends relevant books and articles.
2.Public Library
- A community member wants to learn about starting a small business. The librarian provides
them with books on entrepreneurship, directs them to online resources like the Small Business
Administration website, and suggests a library workshop on business planning.
3.Special Library
- A lawyer needs case law on a specific legal issue. The librarian in a law library helps them
search legal databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis and explains how to use advanced search
features.
4.School Library
- A high school student is preparing for a science fair project on renewable energy. The school
librarian shows them how to use the library’s science databases and helps them find age-
appropriate articles and experiments.
Importance of Reference Services
-Empower Users: Helps users navigate complex information systems and become more self-
sufficient.
-Save Time: Provides quick access to accurate and reliable information.
-Support Learning and Research: Enhances the quality of academic and professional work.
-Promote Library Resources: Encourages the use of library collections and services.
Conclusion
Reference services are a cornerstone of library operations, bridging the gap between users
