CHAPTER 7 :

INFORMATION SERVICES IN
SOCIAL SCIENCE

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TOPIC CONTENT
 Introduction & Reference Services
 Types of Reference Questions
 Types of Reference Services

◦ Information service
◦ Instructional service
◦ Guidance service
 Info. & Reference Service According to Library

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LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the session, students will be
able to:
 Understand and describe type of information

services.
 Discuss and explain reference services and

methods of getting the information.

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REFERENCE SERVICE
The best reference service combines mediated searching, formal
and informal instruction in information-seeking skills (using
hard copy sources, non-print media and automated systems),
and assistance in the use of reference sources. It includes
lessons in analysis and evaluation of the value of the information
retrieved and the accuracy or correctness of the method of
retrieval
(Rosemarie Riechel)

Varieties of reference services

Three (3) basic function:
- Provision of information
- Instruction in the use of libraries and information sources
- Guidance in the choice of library materials
(Rothstein)

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TYPES OF REFERENCE QUESTIONS
Ready Reference Questions
A question that can be answered quickly by
consulting to only one or two reference tool.
- request for factual information.
- constitute majority of questions received at most
reference desks in public and academic libraries.

Research Questions
User’s information need is broader, or the question
asked is more complex or less concretely defined.

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INFORMATION SERVICE
Provides answer to a user’s question or information need
regardless of its complexity or the length of time it takes
the librarian to find the answer.

Example:
- Answering Ready Reference Question
- Bibliographic Verification
- Interlibrary Loan (ILL) & Document Delivery
- Information & Referral Services
- Answering Research Question
- Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI)
- Database searches
- Information Brokering

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Bibliographic Verification
Provides facts about publications.
Requires librarian to search the printed or electronic versions of
standard bibliographic tools to verify that the user’s information
about a document is correct and complete.

Inter-Library Loan
Poses by which a borrower in one library obtains the use of books,
periodical articles or other library materials from another library.

Document Delivery
Service that supplements ILL. Involves purchasing information
sources from commercial document suppliers when access from
other libraries is either unavailable or too slow.

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Information & Referral Services
Usually in public libraries.
Goal: to provide a link between people and services, activities,
information, or advise outside the library that can meet the customer
needs.
- 2 basic types:
a) those that only provide information about agencies
b) those that provide information and make direct referrals to
agencies

Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI)

Offered most frequently to researchers who use academic or special
libraries.
May be referred to as a current awareness service (CAS) because it is
designed to keep researchers aware of current developments as
reflected in the literature of their fields.

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Database Searches
Can be performed either in a ready reference
transaction or in the provision of research
assistance.

Information Brokering
Offering to gather, evaluate & package
information for their clients for fee.

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INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICE
Teaches individuals how to locate information themselves, or assists them
in understanding and using reference tools. It may also teach them how
libraries and information are organized and how librarians can assist them.
One to one / group instruction
Usually in three frequent form:
- teaching how to use library effectively
- suggesting specific strategies to be used in locating and evaluating
information
- instructing in the use of specific information sources, both printed and
electronic

Example:
- Library Orientation
- Library Instruction
- Bibliographic Instruction
- Information Management Education

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Library Orientation
Service activities designed to welcome and introduce
users and potential users to services, collections,
building layouts, and the organization of materials.
Methods:
- Librarian guiding users through the reference room
and on past the circulation desk.
- Video productions.
- Handouts.
- Guides.
- Multimedia programs.
- Self-guided audio tours.
- Electronic bulletin boards.
- LISTSERVs (electronic discussion groups or
conferences available through computer networks).
- Advances in microcomputer software (eg. hypertext).
- Interactive media technology. 11
Library Instruction
Refers to instruction in the use of libraries with
an emphasis on institution specific procedures,
collections and policies.
Focusing on in-depth explanation of library
materials, concentrates on tools and mechanics,
including techniques in using periodical indexes,
reference sources, card and online catalogs and
bibliographies
Methods:
- Lectures
- Discussions
- Workbooks
- Media presentations
- Computer-assisted instruction
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Bibliographic Instruction
Activities that are designed to locate and use
information.
Goes beyond the physical boundaries of the library and
beyond institution specific confines.
Methods :
- Media productions
- Computer assisted instruction (CAI)
- Lectures
- Small group work
- Discussions
- Simulations
- Demonstrations
- Self guided workbooks

Information Management Education

Instructing users in the identification, retrieval,
evaluation and use 13
GUIDANCE SERVICE
Similar to instruction but it has historically had a
somewhat different focus : it advises and assist
the user in the identification and selection of
appropriate materials about a particular topic,
rather than teaching specific skills.

Example:
- Readers’ Advisory Services
- Bibliotherapy
- Term Paper Counseling
- Research Assistance & Consulting

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Reader’s Advisory Services
Helping readers choose the books best suited to their
interest, needs and reading levels.
Interviewed library users to understand their needs and
goals, and then choose library materials to fulfill those
needs and goals - reading list.
Sometimes - current awareness services and library use
instruction to assist readers in using the library and keeping
aware of new books in their fields of interest.

Bibliotherapy
Bibliotherapist use literature, film, or other media chosen
for their appropriateness to the needs of the group.
To assist the personal growth or rehabilitation of group
members through discussion of the material read or
viewed.
- 2 types :
a) clinical - encourage self understanding
b) developmental - promote self knowledge, personal 15
Term Paper Counseling
Sometimes called term-paper assistance or research
consultation.
Widespread in academic libraries.
Term paper clinics, which consist of group
instruction in library use and research skills, may be
offered in addition to or instead of the individual
assistance provided in term paper counseling
sessions.

Research Assistance & Consulting

Consultants writes a report recommending specific
courses of action to help the client reach the stated
goal.
Guidance on the most effective strategy for locating
further information, recommending specific tools,
special collections, or electronic sources as options 16
INFORMATION & REFERENCE SERVICE ACCORDING TO LIBRARY
TYPES

PUBLIC LIBRARIES
- open to public
- information center
- adults education
- as a research library
- space/ section for children
- materials for adolescence
- collection will includes all types of subject
- cultural center
- services for handicapped
- mobile libraries

Services:
- answering ready reference questions
- bibliographic verification
- ILL and document deliver (limited)
- information & referral service 17
- SDI - CAS + CIS
- database search
- one to one instruction
- reader’s advisory services
- bibliotherapy
- term paper counseling and research assistance and
consulting (limited)

ACADEMIC LIBRARIES
- colleges and universities
- Function : to aid the parent institution in carrying out its
objectives
- acquiring and making available the books, materials, and
services which are needed

Services:
- answering ready reference questions
- bibliographic verification
- ILL and document deliver
- information & referral service 18
 SDI - CAS + CIS
 database search
 one to one instruction
 group instruction
 reader’s advisory services
 bibliotherapy
 term paper counseling and research assistance and
 consulting

SPECIAL LIBRARIES
 specialized in a particular field and give service to special
 groups only either private / government
 collection in form of other types of material rather than

books
 Function : more towards providing of information
 User : Researchers, staff, government officers etc.

Services: 19
SCHOOL LIBRARIES
 Function : services to the school
 Malaysia : encourage reading habits
 Services:
 Instructional and Guidance

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ELECTRONIC SOURCES FOR
REFERENCE SERVICES

Bibliographic database
1. Non-bibliographic database

a. Full text databases

• Newspaper
• Journal file – Harvard Business Review
• General information sources – Academic
American
Encyclopedia

b. Numeric database
• Statistical data
• Scientific databases

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c. Image database
• Chemical structure
• TRADEMARKSCAN

d. Directory / address database

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FULL TEXT Database
1. Cost
2. Copyright, not all / many publishers wish to release
tapes
therefore choice limited
3. Selective choice – exclude eg; book review etc.

Eg. Of indexes with full text CDROM

1. ABI / INFORM – Business Periodicals OnDisc
2. Periodicals Abstract Index – General Periodical OnDisc

Online
1. H.W Wilson
2. DIALOG
3. OCLC
4. RLIN
5. OVID 23
NON TRADITIONAL ELECTRONIC RESOURCES
1. Bibliographical utilities
2. Local or system catalog
3. Locally developed reference resources

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THANK YOU

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