The problems and prospect of reference services in academic libraries in anambra state.

The problems and prospect of reference services in academic libraries in anambra state.

ABSTRACT

This project is aimed at examining the problems and prospects of reference services in academic librarians, using the Anambra State University Uli campus library as a case study and how to evaluate the strength and weakness of the reference services in an academic librarian.

It will also help to know the problems caused by the library clientele and profile solution toward the problems. This project work is design to know the functions of reference librarian and services to make prospect in the reference section of a library.

Chapter one of this project works treats Background to the study, research questions, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of some terms as it concerns to this work.

Chapter two treats literature review which covers areas like Reference materials, staffing of the reference section, management of reference section, problem facing reference section.

Chapter three treat methodology which comprises of research design, population of the study, sample and sampling technologies, research instrument, and method of data analysis.

Chapter four treats data analysis, presentation of result and discussion of findings. While Chapter five treats summary of the work conclusion and recommendation for further study.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page –      –       –       –       –       –       –       –         -i

Approval page –       –       –       –       –       –       –       – ii

Dedication –    –       –       –       –       –       –       –       – iii

Acknowledgement –        –       –       –       –       –       – iv

Table of content –    –       –       –       –       –       –        vii

Abstract –        –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –  x

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

• Background of the study – –       –       –         1
• Statement of the problem – –       –       –       6
• Purpose of the study –   –       –       –       –      8
• Research questions –     —     –       –       –      9
• Significance of the study – –       –       –        10
• Scope of the study –       –       –       –       –     11
• Definition of the terms –        –       –       –    12

CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1   Introduction – –       –       –      –       –       –        14

2.2   Reference material and source  –           –       16

2.3   Staffing of the reference section     –      –       17

2.4   Management of reference section  –      –       18

2.5   Problem facing reference section-          –       19

CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY

3.1   Design of the study –      –       –       –       –       22

3.2   Area of the study –  –       –       –       –       –       23

3.3  Population of the study –        –       –       –       23

3.4   Sample and sampling techniques  –       –       23

3.5   Instrument for data collection –     –       –       24

3.6   Validation of the study – –       –       –       –       25

3.7   Reliability of the instrument –        –       –       25

3.8   Distribution and retrieval of instrument       26

3.8      Data analysis –       –       –       –       –       –       26

 CHAPTER FOUR

4.1   Data analysis, presentation of result and discussion of findings  –        –      28

CHAPTER FIVE SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1   Summary –      –       –       –       –       –       –       33

5.2   Conclusion –    –       –       –       –       –       –      35

5.3   Recommendation – –       –       –       –       –      36

References –    –       –       –       –       –       –               39

Appendix I –    –       –       –       –       –       –               41

Appendix II      –      –       –       –       –       –               42

INTRODUCTION

Background to the study

Reference service is one of the essential services of the library. Meaning reference service is the activities, roles, functions and services rendered by the reference librarian constitute reference service.

According to Prytherch, (2002) He states that: “reference service deal with the provision of reference work by library staff”.

According to Ohio Library Council, (2005) Reference services is “A way for libraries to meet the needs of their user (clientele) communities”.

Reference service involves instructing clients to operate independently and at own pace to uses electronic and print resources of the library, it also involved personal assistance given to the users to enable them meet their needs.

REFERENCES

Ala, Ruse (2003). Professional Competencies for reference and user services librarians.

Esharenana, E.A. (2001). Library and Information resources. Benin City: Ethiop Publishing Co-operating.

Esharenana, E.A. (2001). Foundations of reference services. Benin City: Ethiop Publishing Co-operation.

Obiora, C.C. (2004). Use of library for knowledge and research. Enugu: Sound and sense limited.

Ohio Library Council (2005). Ohio reference excellence. Retrieved April 6, 2011.

Pryterch, R. (2000). Harrod’s Librarians – glossary and reference book. England: Gower.

Ranum, M. (2003). Reference Policies. Retrieved on May 25, 2011.

Scott Carison (2007). Are reference desks dying out? Chronicle of Higher Education, April 20.