Dissertation Information for Abram Venable Lawson NAME: - Abram Venable Lawson
DEGREE:
- Ph.D.
DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science
SCHOOL:
- Columbia University (USA) (1971)
ADVISORS: - Winifred B. Linderman
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: - Alice Bryan - Oliver L. Lilley - Allen T. Hazen - Jack Dalton
MPACT Status: Fully Complete
Title: Reference Service in University Libraries. Two Case Studies
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the range and frequency of activities performed by the reference service in two
university libraries, to relate these activities to the objectives aud functicms of the service, and to isolate factors iufluencing their fulfillment. The study took the form of case studies of the reference service of two university librarles. Three hypotheses projected to guide the study were: (1) the reference service performed in a university library is controlled by the objectives of the library aud the parent institution, (2) the objectives of reference service determine the functions and activities of that service in the university library, and (3) any extension, emphasis, or curtailment of activities in reference service in the university library is
dictated more by the objectives of that service than by any of the other identifiable factors.
Reference service was defined as that service which directly or indirectly contributes to the fulfillment of the library's objectives through interpretation of,the resources for the clientele. Data were collected through study of the records and reports of the two selected libraries; interviews with the library directors and the librarians in charge of reference service; work diaries maintained, reference inquiries collected, and questionnaires completed by reference personnel, and personal observation.
Through these data objectives of the libraries and their reference services, were determined, functious delegated to and activities performed by the reference services were identified, and an attempt was made to determine any
relationships existing on, the objectives, functions and activities. Certain factors in the universityand the community and within the library were
isolated to detrmine their influence, if any, upon the reference service.
Though the two universities selected for study were quite different in their physical setting, size, of student body, faculty and library resources, administrative structure, and curricula, their libraries and reference services were found to
have many similarities.
Strong library collections had been developed over the years, but necessary service. to assist clientele in effective use of the collections had received major attention from the library administrators only in recentt years.
Neither library had written objectives for the reference service. Through
interviews and questionaires it was learned that all levels of personnel
accepted support of university instruction and support of research as primary
objectives for the service, though not explicitly defined by the administration. The functions and activities which the library
and reference service administrators designated as of primary importance for
the reference service were reported by the reference personnel on the work diaries as those receiving major staff. These functions and activities were closely related to the relaization of the accepted primary objectives.
The study revealed a multiplicity ,of reference activities performed in the reference service of both university libraries and a limited number of activities requiring two percent of more of staff time for performance. Many of these activities were common to the two libraries and the percentage of staff work time in performing similar activities was often comparable. Less than half of the professional reference staff required professional level competence for performance. Direct reference assistance, utilized predominantly by undergraduates, was found to be largely instructional or directional in nature. The study indicates the need for a reappraisal of reference service to establish its proper objectives and to determine the legitillate role of the experienced reference librarian in the university library reference service.
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MPACT Scores for Abram Venable Lawson A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:01:41
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