Reference in urban public libraries: current trends and future implications

IF 1.3 4区 管理学 Q2 INFORMATION SCIENCE & LIBRARY SCIENCE Reference Services Review Pub Date : 2023-04-17 DOI:10.1108/rsr-02-2023-0006
L. Saunders, Rachel D. Williams, Geneviève Galarneau, Gianna C. Gifford
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Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to get a baseline understanding of the state of reference services in urban public libraries in the United States.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers surveyed all members of the Urban Libraries Council, a network of public library systems in urban centers across the country. The survey asked about their reference services, including how reference is offered, volume and types of questions and staff responsibilities. Participants were also asked how reference has changed in the past 5–10 years and what changes they anticipate in the future.FindingsThis study found that the vast majority of urban public libraries still maintain a physical reference desk, but most also offer reference services in other formats as well. Most libraries have seen numbers of reference questions decline. Reference staff members are engaged in instruction, programming and community outreach as well. Looking ahead, some libraries expect reference questions to continue to decline and demand for virtual services to increase.Practical implicationsDirectors and reference staff of public libraries, especially those in urban and suburban settings, will find these results useful for benchmarking against their own experiences and for planning for future changes.Originality/valueWhile discussions of changes in reference service and volumes of reference questions are plentiful, as are predictions of how these declines will impact reference services, there is little current research on the actual state of those services. This study fills a gap in the literature by providing a baseline overview of the reference services in urban public libraries.
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城市公共图书馆参考文献:当前趋势和未来影响
目的本研究的目的是了解美国城市公共图书馆的参考咨询服务状况。设计/方法/方法研究人员调查了城市图书馆委员会的所有成员,该委员会是全国各城市中心的公共图书馆系统网络。调查询问了他们的参考服务,包括如何提供参考,问题的数量和类型以及工作人员的职责。参与者还被问及在过去的5-10年里,参考是如何变化的,以及他们预计未来会发生什么变化。这项研究发现,绝大多数城市公共图书馆仍然保留着实体参考咨询台,但大多数图书馆也提供其他形式的参考咨询服务。大多数图书馆的参考问题数量都有所下降。参考工作人员也从事指导、规划和社区外展工作。展望未来,一些图书馆预计参考咨询问题将继续减少,对虚拟服务的需求将增加。实际意义公共图书馆的馆长和参考人员,特别是城市和郊区公共图书馆的馆长和参考人员,会发现这些结果对他们自己的经验和规划未来变化的基准很有用。原创性/价值虽然关于参考咨询服务的变化和参考咨询问题的数量的讨论很多,关于这些下降将如何影响参考咨询服务的预测也很多,但目前对这些服务的实际状况的研究很少。本研究通过提供城市公共图书馆参考咨询服务的基本概况,填补了文献的空白。
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来源期刊
Reference Services Review
Reference Services Review INFORMATION SCIENCE & LIBRARY SCIENCE-
CiteScore
3.20
自引率
10.00%
发文量
16
期刊介绍: Reference Services Review (RSR ) is a quarterly, refereed journal dedicated to the enrichment of reference knowledge and the advancement of reference services. RSR covers all aspects of reference functions, including automation of reference services, evaluation and assessment of reference functions and sources, models for delivering quality reference services in all types and sizes of libraries, development and management of teaching/learning activities, promotion of information literacy programs, and partnerships with other entities to achieve reference goals and objectives. RSR prepares its readers to understand and embrace current and emerging technologies affecting reference functions, instructional services and information needs of library users.
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