Reference Service And Sources

The Rapid Developments In Computer Technology, Telecommunications, Printing Reprography, Etc. Have Important Implications For The Provision Of Information By Libraries To Their Users. Great Advances Have Been Made In The Automation Of Indexing And Abstracting Services. Despite Such Advances And Technological Impacts, The Actual Search Process And The End Result Remain The Same As In The Traditional Approach. Hence, The Significance Of Reference Sources And Services Cannot Be Overemphasised. The Reference Service Offered By The Libraries Enables The Readers To Obtain The Required Information From The Huge Collection Of Libraries In No Time. The Book Is Structured Into Two Parts. The First Part Acquaints The Readers With The Purpose, Functions And Kinds Of Reference Service; Qualities And Duties Of A Reference Librarian; Varied Sections In The Libraries; Reference Service In Public, Academic And Special Libraries; Sources And Classification Of Information, And Reference Queries.Part Ii Of The Book Is Devoted To Reference Sources. Beginning With The Evaluation Of Reference Sources, It Includes A Detailed Study On Directories, Bibliographies, Encyclopaedias, Biographies, Maps And Atlases, Dictionaries, Gazetteers And Guide Books.It Is Hoped That The Present Book Will Prove Useful For All Library Users. While The Teachers, Researchers And Students Of Library Science Will Find It Indispensable, The Reference Librarians Are Expected To Acquire Additional Skills Through This Book Which Shall Stand Them In Good Stead In The Technological Environment.

Search skills of today bear little resemblance to searches through print publications. Reference service has become much more complex than in the past, and is in a constant state of flux. Learning the skill sets of a worthy reference librarian can be challenging, unending, rewarding, and-- yes, fun.

The proliferation of online access to social science statistical and numeric data sources, such as the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Fact Finder, has lead to an increased interest in supporting these sources in academic libraries. Many large libraries have been able to devote staff to data services for years, and recently smaller academic libraries have recognized the need to provide numeric data services and support. This guidebook serves as a primer to developing and supporting social science statistical and numerical data sources in the academic library. It provides strategies for the establishment of data services and offers short descriptions of the essential sources of free and commercial social science statistical and numeric data. Finally, it discusses the future of numeric data services, including the integration of statistics and data into library instruction and the use of Web 2.0 tools to visualize data. Written for a general reference audience with little knowledge of data services and sources who would like to incorporate support into their general reference practice Combines information on establishing data services with an introduction to available statistical and numeric data sources Provides insight into the integration of statistics and data into library instruction and the social science research process

With this handy new guidebook, reference luminary Jo Bell Whitlatch outlines practical methods for evaluating and delivering excellent reference service to the technology-savvy library user of today.

"Works of Dr. Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan (S.R. Ranganathan) need no introduction. They are renowned not because they cover certain facet of library and information science, but because they have been written by the father of library science in india, Dr. Ranganathan. These library science classics have been reprinted to make Dr. Ranganathan's work available to the current generation of librarians and for those to come."

The Fifth edition has been thoroughly revised and updated keeping in view the new developments and appearance of new significant reference sources. Some new readings have also been added to bring further readings. This work not only describes the various aspects of reference service such as functions, methods, principles theories, practices, problems, but also provides an overview of available significant reference books, dictionaries, encyclopedias, yearbooks, bibliographies, union catalogues, almanacs, directories, etc.

Reference and information services are considered an important activity of a modern library. This comprehensive and student-friendly book discusses in detail different types of information and reference sources and services, such as encyclopaedias, directories, yearbooks, dictionaries, geographical sources, biographical sources, statistical sources and handbooks. The book is organised into four parts. Part I deals with various types of information sources such as documentary and non-documentary sources. Part II discusses different types of reference services, organisation of reference section and the role of the librarian in the digital age. Part III describes the wide range of information service such as Current Awareness Service (CAS) and Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI). Part IV provides an overview of important information systems such as National Information System for Science and Technology (NISSAT) and International System for Agricultural Science and Technology (AGRIS). The book is intended for the undergraduate and postgraduate students of library science. Besides, it will also be very useful for librarians, information scientists, and information professionals. Salient Features Deals with both theoretical and practical aspects of information sources and services. Discusses various types of information sources and services keeping in view the latest trends and developments in the field. Presents the concepts related to information sources and services in a systematic and accessible way.

Updated to reflect the latest trends in reference services and the newest sources commonly used for reference work, this long-awaited book offers you a state-of-the-art view of the concepts, theories, and practicalities of reference work today. A host of specialists have contributed to the collection. This new edition includes more detailed discussion of a wider range of reference-related services including interlibrary loan, document delivery, and readers' advisory services. There is also increased attention to ethical issues and a stronger focus on user-centered services, both face-to-face and mediated by technology. In addition, the authors discuss Web sites of significant value to reference services and the impact of the Internet and World Wide Web on reference services. This carefully designed and readable text explains the essential theory and provides the practical knowledge necessary for an initial reference course. Its broad scope and organizational clarity will benefit students and practitioners.