Full Record – Year


Ref Type: Journal Article

Authors: Hodges,Ruth A.,

Title: Assessing digital reference

Publication Full: Libri: International Journal of Libraries and Information Services

Year: 2002 Volume: 52 Issue: 3

Start Page: 157 Other Pages: 168

Descriptors: NULL

Abstract:

The World Wide Web has emerged as a powerful tool to enhance navigation and communication over the Internet. Within the past few years, numerous Web-based digital reference services have been established by libraries. The goal of this study is to identify user needs as reflected in the queries they submit to these services. The study is user-centered and seeks to evaluate digital reference services from the users' perspectives. To address these issues, the paper examines digital reference questions received at a large university library in the Southeastern United States (SeU) from January to March 2001. Content analysis and descriptive statistics are used to analyze the data. Findings suggest that questions received by the digital reference service simulate questions received by traditional reference services; that digital reference service reaches only a small segment of the target population; and that the question submission form needs to be redesigned to better identify and prevent the loss of valuable user information. If the library is to succeed in delivering digital reference service and in defining the roles of reference librarians, it must enhance the quality of service to users in order to have a sustainable, competitive advantage in the provision of information in the digital realm.

Notes:

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Links: http://www.librijournal.org/pdf/2002-3pp157-168.pdf

Extra Data: NULL

URL: NULL

Retrieved Date:January 1, 1970

Editors: NULL

Book Title: NULL

Series Title: NULL

Publisher: K. G. Saur Verlag

Place Of Publication: München, Germany

Issn Isbn: 0024-2667

URL: [20]

Retrieved Date:[35]

Editors: [36]

Book Title: [37]

Series Title: [38]

Publisher: [39]

Place Of Publication: [40]

Issn Isbn: [41]