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IN THIS DOCUMENT:

Participants

Introduction

Reports

Discussion

Topics for next year's discussion group, Bangkok 1999

Minutes of Meetings



Discussion Group on Reference Work Report

Archive - Historical Material

Report from the Meeting Held at the 64th IFLA General Conference

16 August 1998
Amsterdam

Introduction

Annsofie Oscarsson, convenor of the DG, started the meeting with information about last year's start-up meeting and the scope of the Discussion Group of Reference Work, which includes all aspects of reference work in all types of libraries in all regions. It is important to find models and maintain positions in the libraries. Competitions from other information providers and decreasing economic means affect the reference situation and she called attention to the following important issues:

    How can we keep on offering qualified reference service?
    How do we show that we are there to give service?
    How do we handle the transition - the change over from traditional to the new media?
    How do we perform a reference interview with remote users?
    How do we train the next generation of librarians?

Participants

Minutes of Meetings

  • Enclosure 1:

  • Enclosure 2:

  • Enclosure 3:

  • Enclosure 4:

  • Enclosure 5:

    Reports

    The first year's work had concentrated on the organisation of reference work on different levels, i.e. the organisational structure of the libraries and of the reference divisions.

    Reports on the organisation of reference work were delivered from the co-ordinators of the four groups: National libraries, university & research academy libraries, public libraries and special libraries. The co-ordinators had during last year collected information on reference organisations from libraries all over the world and summarised the information as a base for the following discussion.

    National libraries contained about 20 reports and from the other groups about 10 each. The organisational structures of libraries differ greatly around the world depending on historical traditions. Most of the libraries, however, have reference divisions that provide general information about collections and guidance for users, respond to written inquiries and staff the reference desk. It is evident that the reference division is a hub in each library, working in close co-operation with specialists from other departments in order to serve the general public and researchers in the best possible way.

    The opportunities opened up by information technology are enormous, for example the access to library systems, special databases etc. Information technology has also facilitated the education and information of the staff involved in the reference work.

    A copy of the summaries is enclosed to this report (enclosures 1-5).

    Discussion

    The discussion on the organisation of reference work was lively. It is not always the organisation itself that is important but the needs of the users and what they expect from reference librarians. However, as a result of the information technology, a change of the organisations can be expected in a foreseeable future. The differences between the concepts Information and Reference were discussed as well as the approachability of the reference librarian, in the physical environment but also in the virtual environment.

    Another issue was how we serve the users in the best way, physical or virtual - this is really the focus point and the importance of defining reference work and why it is so important. Which services are we going to give in the future?

    Reference culture differs from country to country and the reasons for that were discussed. It was suggested that maybe the different education systems create different cultures.

    Topics for next year's discussion group, Bangkok 1999

    It was decided that the focus point until next year would be the definition of reference work. What is reference work? Sub-topics in this field should be the virtual reference desk, new services contents, changing user needs, and reference culture.

    Reports in these fields are requested and can be submitted to the convenor:

    Annsofie Oscarsson

    Umea University Library
    S-901 74 Umea, Sweden
    Tel. +46-90-786 54 91
    Fax: +46-90-786 74 74
    E-mail: annsofie.oscarsson@ub.umu.se


    The Report was submitted by:

    Birgitta Fogelvik

    Reference services
    The Royal Library/National library of Sweden
    P.O.Box 5039
    S-102 41 Stockholm, Sweden
    Phone: +46-8-463 41 93
    Fax: +46-8-463 40 04
    E-mail: Birgitta.Fogelvik@kb.se

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