Digital References Services

Digital References Services, its type and mode of services by Muhammad Yousuf Ali

Reference service, sometimes referred to as ‘‘reference and information services’’ or ‘‘reader services,’’ has been defined as personal assistance provided to users in the pursuit of information. As distinguished from other library activities or services, reference service is characterized by a high degree of personal interaction between library staff members and library users.

1. What is Digital Reference Services (DRS)?

Digital reference (DRS) service is a service by which a library reference service is provided online and the reference transaction is a computer-mediated communication between the user and the librarian.

The terms “virtual reference,” “digital reference,” “e-reference,” “Internet information services,” “live reference” and “real-time reference”

Types of Digital References Services (DRS)

Synchronous Reference

Synchronous Reference Services is a mode of services where users and patron communicate in a real time response without physical existence with any digital tools like PC, Tablet, Laptop or smart phone. Reference Chat, Instant Messaging, VoIP, and Video Conferencing etc are different methods of Synchronous Reference.

Reference Rebot/Chatbot

It is an artificial intelligence based service & is used to respond the questions during the unavailability of the reference librarian. Ask Jeeves, Alexa, Siri, IBM Watson are the example

 Instant Messaging

Instant messaging or online chat is one of the most common forms of web communication via different messenger applications

VoIP

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) can be used by reference librarian to talk to users and hear them while connected and while locating the resources. What’s app , Skype, line or other application software to support library users.

Video Conferencing

Video conferencing is a visual communication session between two or more users regardless of their location, featuring audio and video content transmission in real time librarian provide that type of services via Zoom, Google Class, Skype and Microsot team

Asynchronous Reference:

Asynchronous Reference Services is a mode of services where patron and librarian communicate in time delayed response without physical existence with any digital tools like PC, Tablet, Laptop or smart phone, E-mail, Ask librarian, Web form, FAQ’s and etc are different technique of Asynchronous Reference.

E-mail Services

e–mail reference services are very common way to connect with librarian and library users. It is very cost effectively and time delayed services

Ask Librarian

Librarians are available to answer library patron questions via ask librarian where users drop the questions and librarian send the answer of this reference question

Web forms

Web forms is also type of Asynchronous Reference services. Library designed web forms where users can ask the query an librarian response the queires.

FAQs

Few libraries designed Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ’s) segement where library users can ask reference related question to librarian.

Cite this Article :-

Ali, M. Y., (30 Jan 2021). Digital References Services, its type and mode of services. https://profileusuf.wordpress.com/reference-services-2/

References

Ali, M. Y., & Haider, K. (2016). An analysis of digital reference services tools and usage in university libraries of Karachi. Pakistan Library & Information Science Journal, 47(1), 20-29.

Chandwani, A. (2010). An overview of digital reference services. Modern Practice in Library and Information Service, Nagpur.