Information sources and services Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Information sources and services - Assignment Example In this context, it can be affirmed that libraries are the centre of academic activities, as they serve educational organisations along with the students, teachers and administrators with miscellaneous information necessities (Bhatia & Vohra, 2007). It is in this context that the characteristics of information have transformed significantly in recent times. Most striking characteristics of today’s knowledge-oriented generation are the propagation of huge quantity of data, especially in the digital format. Thus, the major challenges for libraries in 21st century are to search, address and use information effectively in order to satisfy the varied groups of people. Based on this perspective, the discussion will intend to develop strategies and options for a large vocational education library which serves almost 30,000 students. With the changes in the requirement of information, the library services are facing significant pressure in terms of the number of services with the reduction in the traditional information counter tasks in library. Considering this aspect, the discussion intends to reform the information service of library which can reflect the requirements of large and varied user groups comprising young and mature students belonging to various cultural and economic backgrounds, professional interns and trainees along with immigrants, tutors and community workers. Reference and Information Services Reference and information services denote individual support delivered to the people in order to satisfy their information requirements. It is based on high level of communication between guiding members and individuals. Providing such custom-made support can be thus regarded as a major objective of library occupation in the modern day phenomenon. In the 21st century, the constant growth of accessibility for digital databases has altered the characteristics of reference services in library. Undeniably, the upsurge of internet and increasing number of contributions for accessing online information and free online materials has also made the improvement of library services more critical (Australian Library and Information Association, 2011). Today, librarians are generally confronted with broad ranges of information alternatives which must be assessed for genuineness and accurateness. It is in this regard that new technologies act as streams leading t o vast torrent of knowledge for people. Thus, providing users with personalised facilities in sensible way can ensure excellence in library information and reference services (Bopp & Smith, 2011). Models of Reference Services In the current day scenario, the digital age has changed the tasks of reference librarians by a certain extent. Although the central task remains the same, i.e. to provide professional support in addressing beneficial information to the users, the new world of accessible electronic databases has developed new ways to manage information in modern day libraries (Lamolinara & Grunke, 1998). The delivery modes of services have also changed in recent days. Where traditionally, users were required to attain services through face to face interactions; in virtual model, the key modes has transformed to electronic modes such as e-mails and chats among other means of communication. Furthermore, traditionally, reference work included arranging and publishing academic info rmation which were principally assimilated from commercial salespersons. However, in the current day phenomenon, the reference tasks have grown to select, store, manage and organize information in a standard format. Therefore, it can be affirmed that the roles of librarians have moved from custodial role to more communication role (Breitbach & DeMars,