EVALUATION OF REFERENCE SERVICES IN NIGERIA ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

1.1 Introduction

Reference service deals with the provision of reference work by library staff (Prytherch, 2002). Reference services have long been regarded by many users as the bedrock of any library and for it to be service oriented it needs regular reassessment. They are accorded great importance in libraries worldwide. It entails assisting library users to find the required library resources. A references service is referred to as one of the most professional aspects of the librarian’s responsibilities which every prospective librarian must properly grasp. It is also defined as a personal assistance provided to users in the pursuit of information. Similarly, according to Anderson (2005) digital reference is a service and the reference transaction is a computer mediated communication.

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of 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. Reference service can be attributed to selective dissemination of information (SDI) as well as current awareness services (CAS), this is to say that a reference librarian should be able to provide some selected information that are relevant to the researcher and also create an enabling environment whereby the researcher or the investigator or the information seeker can get current information that will help him/her solve a particular problem.

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.

James (2005) states that reference work started in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to respond to several forces and trends. In the next several decades from the 1930s through the 1950s, a new technology that provides, access to the library to a lager member and much wider variety of people was introduce. That technology is obviously, the telephone and the reference literature of the day speaks of its advantages but also its challenges.

According to (ALA RUSA, 2008) reference service includes reference transactions and other activities that involve the creation, management, and assessment of information or research resources, tools and services. Creation and management of information resources includes the development and maintenance of research collections, research guide, catalogues, database, web-sites, search engines etc that patrons can use independently, in-house or remotely to satisfy their information needs. Assessment activities include the measurement and evaluation of reference work, resources and services.

According to Esharenana, (2008) sees reference section as that section of library which provide a variety of services and perform functions necessary to assist the users including provision of information service on demand and in providing institution in the use of library, selected of documents and organization of reference materials.

According to Obiora, (2004) states that reference sources are publications – book and non-book materials consulted only within the library for specific facts or definite piece of information on a subject. There are two types of reference sources, general reference sources which include Encyclopedia, Directories, Dictionaries, Yearbooks and Handbook while special or subject reference sources are Mathematics, Biology, and Library Science.

According to Esharenana, (2008) states that reference question is a sentence, phrase or word posed by a patron to the reference librarian asking for information or assistance in order to meet the need. According to Ramum (2003) reference policy is regarded as a kind of set of plan and as a kind of framework within which reference staff and clienteles work.

Ahi Rusa, (2003) states that a reference librarians is person that provides reference service. He should posses a wide range of intellectual interest, desire to assist the patrons, flair for organizing documents ability to search literature and adequate knowledge of the library and external resources.

According to Scott (2007) is public service counter where professional librarians provide library users with direction on how to make use of library materials, advice on library collection and services and expertise on multiple kinds of information from multiple sources.

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to evaluate the Reference Services in Nigeria Academic Libraries.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that the very rapid expansion of our reference sources have reached a stage of concern. One finds that the library does not tackle the problem of acquisition of up-to-date reference materials like journals to keep the clienteles (students and lecturers even the parent institution) abreast of the new trends in their various field of study.

Development of the reference collection and organization which effect in the backbone of a reference e-service should also be looked into. A maximum attention would equally be paid to the relevance of the exiting services, to see how it meet the needs of the patrons, because the effective use of these materials depends on the services provided by the reference personnel or librarians.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to evaluate the Reference Services in Nigeria Academic Libraries. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To determine the reference section of the academic library is well organized;
2. To find out if there reference services are being rendered in line with other reference services in other libraries;
3. To identify the strength and weakness of the library's reference collection because any effective reference service may not be feasible without an appropriate and adequate reference collection;
4. To promote the basic library services to an advance level through reference services; and
5. To enable the researcher carry out the findings so that to make recommendation for effective reference services in the library.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Is the reference section of the academic library adequately organized to perform its functions?
• To what extent can the reference materials in the library said to be appropriate for the needs of the clientele?
• Are the reference services being rendered in-line with other reference services in other libraries?
• Does the library make available all the useful reference materials needed by the users for them?
• Does the library clientele find it easy with the reference librarian in terms of research?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: Reference materials in the library are not appropriate for the needs of the clientele
• H1: Reference materials in the library are appropriate for the needs of the clientele

Hypothesis Two

• H0: There is no significant factor inhibiting the utilization of academic libraries reference services in Nigeria
• H1: There is a significant factor inhibiting the utilization of academic libraries reference services in Nigeria

1.7 Significance of Study

The relevance of this research will be beneficial in the following ways:

1. This study will lay on the reference services in academic library users.
2. It will provide useful information on how reference services are being searched by the users.
3. It demonstrates to library staff the feelings of its clientele towards the type of reference materials they provide for them.
4. The recommendation to the made will be the one that if implemented will enhance an effective reference information services of the library to its user.
5. To enable adequate access to the materials be the library users.

1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Evaluation of Reference Services in Nigeria Academic Libraries. This study is restricted to the university of Anambra State Uli Campus library. The reference services rendered to the users are deeply discussed. The quality of staff was also evaluated, the nature of their work and services towards their users.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this establishment to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
3. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
4. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
5. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

1.10 Definition of Terms

Reference Services: It involves a reference activity that includes the creation, management and assessment of information, research resources, tools and services. Creation and management of information resources include the development and maintenance of research collections, catalogues, research guides, databases, web-sites and search engines (Ala, 2008).