Open Journal Systems

Digital reference services in public university libraries in Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Khulna division

Nishat Nazmin Akter

Abstract

The development of information and communication technologies, the availability of information online, and the wide spread of the internet have changed the trends of library services. On the other hand, the user’s attitudes towards the library change. The users want digitalized resources and online services. To serve information seekers, there is no other way than digital reference service. Digital reference service is the only way to give the right information to the right users at the right time. Digital reference service provides a user assistant when they want while sitting at home. University libraries are an important part and parcel of higher education, and the users of these libraries, such as students, faculty members, and researchers always involved in education. They will need any type of information or documents at any time. To fulfill their requirement and to achieve their satisfaction there is no alternative to Digital Reference Service (DRS). From this study that it is found the mentality of library professionals has changed. They try hard to make the library digital and provide internet-based services. Public university libraries offer a large number of databases to meet the needs of users. Besides these, the university libraries offer online services like Current Awareness Service(CAS), Selective Dissemination of Information(SDI), institutional repositories, and so on. They faced some problems with providing DRS. this study provides some recommendations that will help them to run digital reference services smoothly.

Keywords

digital referencing; library management; public university; public library

Full Text:

PDF

References

1. Ranganathan SR. Reference Service, 2nd ed. Asia Publishing House; 1961.

2. RUSA. Guidelines for Implementing and Maintaining Virtual Reference Services. American Library Association; 2017.

3. RUSA. Guidelines for Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Service Providers. American Library Association; 2008.

4. Chowdhury G, Margariti S. Digital reference services: a snapshot of the current practices in Scottish libraries. Library Review. 2004; 53(1): 50-60. doi: 10.1108/00242530410514793

5. Chakrabarti A, Mandal S. Open access digital reference sources for public library: An appraisal. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 1–5.

6. Sutradhar A, Das A. Digital collection development through digital reference sources in public libraries of West Bengal: A proposed model. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 25–29.

7. Karati B. Role of public libraries for collection development of digital reference sources in LIS environment. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 77–86.

8. Modak B. Free digital reference sources: Prospects of reference services in public library of West Bengal. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 96–98.

9. Bera SK. Digital information sources: Characteristics and services. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 225–229.

10. Saha DD. Selection and evaluation of digital reference resources towards collection development in a library. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 266–269.

11. Bhattacharya S. Collection development of digital reference sources: A case study of Visva-Bharati library system. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 313–322.

12. Pal T. Management of digital reference resources: An overview. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 323–327.

13. Ghosh P, Mondal TK. Wikipedia as a digital reference source in public libraries of India. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 415–418.

14. Kumar A. Digital reference services & its sources: an evaluation. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 6–9.

15. Das A, Sen P, Ghosh A. Providing digital reference services through Netaji Subash Open University study corners: Prospect and proposals. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 40–44.

16. Paramanik A, Syuhlo B. Virtual reference service for web-based information seekers. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 342–345.

17. Porel P, Khan S. Emergent challenges for protecting personally identifiable information: Privacy and confidentiality in digital reference service. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 430–435.

18. Chattopadhyay S, Mukhopadhyay C. Digital reference service using e-resources: A study at St. Xavier’s college central library, Kolkata. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 174–177.

19. Aditya M. Digital reference services: An overview. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 383–386.

20. Lee IJ. Do Virtual Reference Librarians Dream of Digital Reference Questions?: A Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Email and Chat Reference. Australian Academic & Research Libraries. 2004; 35(2): 95-110. doi: 10.1080/00048623.2004.10755262

21. Vakkari P. Comparing Google to a digital reference service for answering factual and topical requests by keyword and question queries. Lewandowski D, ed. Online Information Review. 2011; 35(6): 928-941. doi: 10.1108/14684521111193201

22. Fields E. A unique Twitter use for reference services. Library Hi Tech News. 2010; 27(6/7): 14-15. doi: 10.1108/07419051011095863

23. Joint N. Virtual reference, Second Life and traditional library enquiry services. Library Review. 2008; 57(6): 416-423. doi: 10.1108/00242530810886689

24. Vijayakumar M, Vijayakumar JK. Digital reference service: Libraries online 24/7. In: Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Convention and Conference on Delivery of Information Services Through Distributed Digital Environment (SIS-2005); 27–29 January 2005; Visakhapatanam, India.

25. Grodzins Lipow A. The future of reference: point‐of‐need reference service: no longer an afterthought. Reference Services Review. 2003; 31(1): 31-35. doi: 10.1108/00907320310460870

26. Sennema G. Managing the reference desk online. Reference Services Review. 2003; 31(3): 257-263. doi: 10.1108/00907320310486854

27. Kawakami A, Swartz P. Digital reference: training and assessment for service improvement. Reference Services Review. 2003; 31(3): 227-236. doi: 10.1108/00907320310486827

28. Pomerantz J, Nicholson S, Lankes RD. Digital Reference Triage: Factors Influencing Question Routing and Assignment. The Library Quarterly. 2003; 73(2): 103-120. doi: 10.1086/603392

29. McClure J. Statistics, Measures and Quality Standards for Assessing Digital Reference Library Services: Guidelines and Procedures (review). portal: Libraries and the Academy. 2003; 3(4): 692-693. doi: 10.1353/pla.2003.0093

30. Stemper JA, Butler JT. Developing a model to provide digital reference services. Reference Services Review. 2001; 29(3): 172-189. doi: 10.1108/00907320110398133

31. Wasik, JM. Building and Maintaining Digital Reference Services. ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology; 1999.

32. Buckland MK. Reference library service in the digital environment. Library & Information Science Research. 2008; 30(2): 81-85. doi: 10.1016/j.lisr.2008.03.002

33. Choi Y. Reference services in digital collections and projects. Reference Services Review. 2006; 34(1): 129-147. doi: 10.1108/00907320610648815

34. Jeffrey P. Integrating digital reference service into the digital library environment. The Digital Reference Research Agenda. 2003; 23–47.

35. Chowdhury GG. Digital libraries and reference services: present and future. Journal of Documentation. 2002; 58(3): 258-283. doi: 10.1108/00220410210425809

36. Sloan B. Service perspectives for the digital library remote reference services. Library Trends. 1998; 47(1): 117–143.

37. Weak E, Luo L. Collaborative virtual reference service: Lessons from the past decade. In: Mergers and Alliances: The Operational View and Cases. Emerald Group Publishing Limited; 2014. pp. 81–112.

38. Jin Y, Huang M, Lin H, et al. Study on the collaboration mechanism of the virtual reference service. The Electronic Library. 2007; 25(6): 733-740. doi: 10.1108/02640470710837155

39. Kasowitz A, Bennett B, Lankes RD. Quality standards for digital reference consortia. Reference & User Services Quarterly. 2000; 355–363.

40. Uutoni W. Providing digital reference services: a Namibian case study. Information and Learning Science. 2018; 119(5/6): 342-356. doi: 10.1108/ils-11-2017-0122

41. Chowdhury RR, Karmakar T. Digital references services: Special reference with National libraries of US, UK, Japan, Argentina, Australia and Nigeria. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 238–243.

42. Osareh F, Bigdeli Z, Mansouri A, et al. A digital reference desk for the National Library of Iran. Reference Services Review. 2009; 37(2): 221-233. doi: 10.1108/00907320910957242

43. Chowdhury G, Margariti S. Digital reference services: a snapshot of the current practices in Scottish libraries. Library Review. 2004; 53(1): 50-60. doi: 10.1108/00242530410514793

44. Bhattacharya A. Digital reference services: scenario of public libraries in India and Abroad. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 45–49.

45. Biswas B. Digital reference service through social media: A step towards rejuvenation of public libraries. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 87–90.

46. Rai A, Majumder S, Barui T. Digital reference service for senior citizen patrons in public libraries of Siliguri sub-division, West Bengal: Prospects and possibilities. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 108–114.

47. Ghosh AM. Need of digital reference services for public libraries in digital India environment: A case study. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 115–120.

48. Das S, Mitra P. The importance of digital reference services towards career counselling through public library. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 151–156.

49. Jana GC, Chakraborty S. Role of public library in making new dimension in digital information and reference service. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 277–279.

50. Banerjee JC, Banerjee S. Status of reference service in public libraries of West Bengal in 21st century. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 284–288.

51. Cintury N, Paul D. Digital reference service in public library system of Sikkim: Challenges and opportunities. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 411–414.

52. Alexander S, Wakimoto DK. Exploration of reference models in a public university system. Reference Services Review. 2019; 47(1): 21-36. doi: 10.1108/rsr-08-2018-0062

53. Mondal S, Bhattacharya U. Availability of digital reference service: A comparative study among global and Indian academic libraries. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 178–182.

54. Bandyopadhyay A, Boyd-Byrnes MK. Is the need for mediated reference service in academic libraries fading away in the digital environment? Reference Services Review. 2016; 44(4): 596-626. doi: 10.1108/rsr-02-2016-0012

55. Dollah WKW, Singh D. Digital reference services in academic libraries. Available online: https://studylib.net/doc/8796498/digital-reference-services-in-academic-libraries-by (accessed on 20 February 2024).

56. Emmanuel Baro E, U. Efe B, K. Oyeniran G. Reference inquiries received through different channels. Reference Services Review. 2014; 42(3): 514-529. doi: 10.1108/rsr-09-2013-0049

57. Malik A, Mahmood K. Infrastructure needed for digital reference service (DRS) in university libraries. Library Review. 2013; 62(6/7): 420-428. doi: 10.1108/lr-12-2012-0129

58. Diamond W, Pease B. Digital reference: a case study of question types in an academic library. Reference Services Review. 2001; 29(3): 210-219. doi: 10.1108/eum0000000005663

59. Chowdhury HK, Islam S, Helal Uddin M. Digital reference service in academic libraries in Bangladesh: A practical experience. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Rejuvenating Public Library Services Through Digital Reference Sources; 22–23 February 2018; Kolkata, India. pp. 349–355.

60. Okunlaya RO, Syed Abdullah N, Alias RA. Artificial intelligence (AI) library services innovative conceptual framework for the digital transformation of university education. Library Hi Tech. 2022; 40(6): 1869-1892. doi: 10.1108/lht-07-2021-0242

61. Rafique H, Almagrabi AO, Shamim A, et al. Investigating the Acceptance of Mobile Library Applications with an Extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Computers & Education. 2020; 145: 103732. doi: 10.1016/j.compedu.2019.103732

62. Adekoya CO, Adedimeji AA. Enhancing library performance by exploiting the potentials of disruptive innovations. VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems. 2021; 53(6): 1119-1134. doi: 10.1108/vjikms-03-2021-0032

63. Øvrelid E, Bygstad B, Ludvigsen S, Dæhlen M. Dual digitalization: A framework for digital transformations of higher education. In: Pinheiro R, Edelhard Tømte C, Barman L, et al. (editors). Digital Transformations in Nordic Higher Education. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham; 2023. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-27758-0_3


DOI: https://doi.org/10.59400/fes.v2i1.380
(33 Abstract Views, 32 PDF Downloads)

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2024 Nishat Nazmin Akter