Reference & Reference Services

What is Reference?

Reference is the division that interpreter that library’s collection to its users primarily the reference division is responsible for non-circulating library materials but in the performance of  its interpretative function the whole library collection and indeed resources outside the library may be used.

The meaning of Reference : There are two definitions of  reference –

Reference work is organized effort on the part of  the libraries in aid of the most expeditious and faithful use of their libraries.-William Warner Bishop

Systematic and informal personal aid is interpreting library collections for study & research.-James Ingersoll Wyer

(Reference is to library service what intelligence is to the military). In the reference room the library’s resources are utilized to meet specific needs. Most frequently the need is for particular fact to answer a question.

                                   

Reference Services

Reference Service: Reference service is most intense kind of  Personal service, which attempts to bring together the user and the document in a personal way.

We have some definitions of reference service. These are –

Margaret Hutchins defined that “ Reference service includes the direct, personal aid within a library to persons in reach of information for whatever purpose and also various library activities especially aimed at making information as easily available as possible.”

Dr. Ranganathan defines-“The process of establishing contact between a reader and his document in a personal way.”

Here emphasis is laid on personal service to each user to help him to find documents, which would meet his requirements.

Samuel Rothstein defines as reference service -“The personal assistant given by the libraries to individual records in persuit of information.”

According to Louis Shore , “Reference is to library service what intelligence is to the military.”

It is rather difficult to find a definition of reference service, which would be generally acceptable. Different persons have defined it differently. Broadly speaking reference service is what a reference librarian does.