Introduction: Uncertainty is understood as an important component of the information seeking process, but it has not been explored as a component of reference and information service. Method: Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to examine the practitioner perspective of reference and information service for eight academic research…

Provides background on the establishment of the Congressional Research Service, focusing on the growth of reference services and special librarianship during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The contributions of Melvil Dewey and Charles McCarthy, as well as legislative reference work in the Library of Congress, are discussed. (10…

Identifies the major aspects of reference service and develops three theories of reference work (minimum, middling, and maximum) based on the application of these activities in various types of libraries. A case is then made for amplified reference services, and suggestions are offered for dealing with the problems of reference service expansion.…

Reviews the literature on reference service, particularly the reference interview, from 1876 to the 1970s and summarizes some research techniques used to investigate the reference encounter. Studies of reference clients are then briefly reviewed, and concerns of reference librarians regarding the level of assistance and the library-client…

Discusses the goals, attitudes, and methods of reference teaching, focusing on some of the difficulties for the reference instructor. Teaching of the reference method, rather than facts, and a liberal concept of reference work are encouraged. (three references) (MES)

Despite the frequency with which library reference services are evaluated, there is a dearth of guidelines for the operation and evaluation of reference services. An American Library Association committee investigated the issue and made recommendations for improved reference operations, but the nature of information retrieval is rapidly changing,…

This paper develops two models of the reference interview: (1) the Need-Oriented Model, which emphasizes identifying the client's information needs and allows for a broad-ranging diagnostic interview; and (2) the Question-Oriented Model, which is constrained by the client's initial question and focuses on refining that specific question,…

The hypothesis that there exists a strong linear relation between reference service and library use was strongly supported by data from Northern Illinois University Library. Hourly counts of people using the reference room, total number of direction and location questions asked, and total number of reference questions asked were randomly sampled.…

Describes the rise of information brokers, who package, validate, and evaluate data for clients on a cost-effective basis, and who use all forms of technology. It is suggested that librarians should familiarize themselves with these new trends, benefit from them through their use, and seek development of a national information policy. (Author/JD)

Discusses the role librarians have assumed in the implementation of AACR 2/catalog closing at the Library of Congress (LC), speculates on how AACR 2 will affect public service librarians in patron interactions, and describes LC's plans to inform/instruct/train staff and the public regarding the changes. (Author)

Computerized literature searching allows the educator to become familiar with resources that help develop individual teaching styles and methods, enhance awareness of pupil needs, explain educational research and evaluation, and describe curriculum materials. This document introduces the fundamentals of computerized literature searching. The…

This paper examines the factors that govern identification of place in its environment, its literature, and its description as presented to the reference librarian by the genealogical researcher. Toponyms and exonyms, their elements of activity, status, extent, focus, and boundaries are examined, explicated, and defined. The techniques, sources,…

Following an overview of the Pennsylvania State University Libraries, this paper discusses the role of dual function librarians. The duties and responsibilities of a RISD (Reference and Instructional Services Division) cataloger are listed, and problems of terminology, evaluation, divided loyalties, and inflated expectations are addressed.…

Analysis of data collected from 3,000 academic libraries by the 1977 Library General Information Surveys reveals that library operating budgets, institutional enrollment, and library circulation are the best predictors of reference and directional transactions. Fifty-five percent of the transactions at reference service points are directional,…

The Texas Information Exchange (TIE) is a state-wide library network organized in 1967 for the purpose of sharing resources among Texas libraries. Its membership includes 37 college and university libraries, the Texas State Library, and ten public libraries that serve as Major Resource Centers in the Texas State Library Communications Network. In…