scholarly journals Digital reference services: a snapshot of the current practices in Scottish libraries

2004 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gobinda Chowdhury ◽  
Simone Margariti
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Reference Services ◽  
Knowledge Domains ◽  
University Library ◽  
Digital Reference ◽  
Digital Reference Services ◽  
The University ◽  
E Mail ◽  
Current Practices

Discusses the current practices followed by some major libraries in Scotland for providing digital reference services (DRS). Refers to the DRSs provided by three academic libraries, namely Glasgow University Library, the University of Strathclyde Library, and Glasgow Caledonian University Library, and two other premier libraries in Scotland, the Mitchell Library in Glasgow and the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh. Concludes that digital reference services are effective forms of service delivery in Scotland’s academic, national and public libraries, but that their full potential has not yet been exploited. E‐mail is the major technology used in providing digital reference, although plans are under way to use more sophisticated Internet technologies. Notes that the majority of enquiries handled by the libraries are relatively low‐level rather than concerning specific knowledge domains, and training the users to extract information from the best digital resources still remains a challenge.

Reference Services in Digital Environment

2009 ◽  
pp. 412-420
Author(s):  
Wan Ab. Kadir Wan Dollah ◽  
Diljit Singh
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Reference Services ◽  
Digital Reference ◽  
Digital Reference Services ◽  
The World ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
E Mail

Information and communication technologies have been used to assist in various functions of library and information units. Digital reference services that is becoming widely available especially in academic libraries and public libraries around the world provide assistance to remote users especially through e-mail format. This chapter clarifies the concept, format and background of digital reference services. It also focuses on issues, trends and challenges in digital reference services, besides discussing on technological developments in digital reference services. The benefits and limitations of the services are also highlighted in this chapter.

Factors influencing the adoption of digital reference services among the university librarians in Pakistan

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1225-1246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asad Khan ◽  
Mohamad Noorman Masrek ◽  
Khalid Mahmood ◽  
Saima Qutab
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Ict Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Utaut Model ◽  
Reference Services ◽  
Digital Reference ◽  
Digital Reference Services ◽  
The University

Purpose This study aims to explore the factors affecting the adoption of digital reference services (DRS) among the university librarians in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach Based on the adapted unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model, the proposed study tested 12 hypothetical relationships through structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques. The study approach was quantitative based on a questionnaire distributed online to a sample of Pakistani university librarians and completed by 289 respondents. The questionnaire used in this study was developed from other validated instruments used in past empirical studies. Descriptive and inferential data analyses were performed through SPSS and AMOS for SEM. Findings The results revealed usefulness, ease of use and information and communication technology (ICT) skills as the significant predictors of the adoption of DRS. However, moderating influence of the demographic factors (age, gender and type of library) on the relationship of predictors with outcome variable was found insignificant. The findings of this study imply that individuals’ readiness for the adoption of DRS is present in the university libraries of Pakistan. Originality/value In the context of Pakistan, this study was the first attempt that investigated factors of the adoption of DRS at individual level. In addition, two new factors – namely, ICT skills and library type – were incorporated into the UTAUT model and were then evaluated in the Pakistani context. However, these two factors were found insignificant in influencing librarians towards the adoption of DRS. The intended study is equally useful for librarians in other countries in terms of understanding the factors that impact the effective adoption of DRS.

scholarly journals Impact of digital reference on the delivery of reference in New Zealand public libraries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Suzanne Alison Barnaby
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
School Children ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Virtual Reference ◽  
Reference Services ◽  
Digital Reference ◽  
Digital Reference Services ◽  
Reference Service

<p>This study looks at digital reference services in New Zealand public libraries to find out what types of services are being provided and what impact they are having on traditional reference services. A survey was sent to twenty-seven selected public libraries with a further sixteen selected libraries added after a low response rate from the first group, to collect information on their digital reference services. The libraries included large, medium and small and were selected from all areas of New Zealand. A questionnaire was used to collect the information and the data was statistically analysed. All large and the majority of medium selected libraries are providing a digital reference service in the form of email or web form. Four of the large libraries are participating in AnyQuestions - a virtual reference service for New Zealand school children, and one large library has their own virtual service. The low response rate and deficiencies in the survey design have resulted in inconclusive results for this study. We know libraries are providing digital reference services and we know something about how the services are provided, but it is still unclear whether these services are having an impact on traditional reference services.</p>

scholarly journals Impact of digital reference on the delivery of reference in New Zealand public libraries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Suzanne Alison Barnaby
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
School Children ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Virtual Reference ◽  
Reference Services ◽  
Digital Reference ◽  
Digital Reference Services ◽  
Reference Service

<p>This study looks at digital reference services in New Zealand public libraries to find out what types of services are being provided and what impact they are having on traditional reference services. A survey was sent to twenty-seven selected public libraries with a further sixteen selected libraries added after a low response rate from the first group, to collect information on their digital reference services. The libraries included large, medium and small and were selected from all areas of New Zealand. A questionnaire was used to collect the information and the data was statistically analysed. All large and the majority of medium selected libraries are providing a digital reference service in the form of email or web form. Four of the large libraries are participating in AnyQuestions - a virtual reference service for New Zealand school children, and one large library has their own virtual service. The low response rate and deficiencies in the survey design have resulted in inconclusive results for this study. We know libraries are providing digital reference services and we know something about how the services are provided, but it is still unclear whether these services are having an impact on traditional reference services.</p>

Providing digital reference services: a Namibian case study

2018 ◽  
Vol 119 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 342-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilhelm Uutoni
Keyword(s):  
Reference Model ◽  
The Body ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Descriptive Case Study ◽  
Reference Services ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Digital Reference ◽  
Digital Reference Services ◽  
Staffing And Training

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate digital reference services at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the University of Namibia (UNAM) library. Two aspects were evaluated, namely, “resources” and “elements of the general digital reference model”. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a descriptive case study approach and used qualitative research methods, which comprised interviews and an observation checklist. The population consisted of librarians working at NUST and UNAM Library. Findings The research findings showed that these libraries used the general digital reference model in providing responses to the library users. The study established that the two libraries did not follow the International Federation of Library Associations and Reference and User Services Association standards of staffing and training of librarians working with digital reference services. The study further found that a lack of ability to fully demonstrate to users how to access various library services was one of the major problems that the librarians experienced. Research limitations/implications The study was limited to two academic libraries: UNAM and NUST. Originality/value The study could contribute to a better understanding of digital reference services provided by NUST and the UNAM libraries and contribute to the body of knowledge on the subject of digital reference services, especially in an African context, where few studies have been conducted on this subject. The two libraries could use the findings to improve digital reference services, plan for intervention and develop the services.

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