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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.

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

Advisors and Advisees Graph

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Students under Abram Venable Lawson

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- None