““REFERENCE REFERENCE

INTERVIEW”.INTERVIEW”.

S.Arun JosephS.Arun Joseph

M.L.I.ScM.L.I.ScDLIS

University of Kerala

INTRODUCTION

A Reference Interview is a conversation between the librarian and a library user.

DEFINITION

• Bopp & Smith (1995) defines the reference interview as the “Conversation between a member of the library reference staff and a library user for the purpose of clarifying the user’s and aiding the user in meeting those needs”.

• According to ODLIS, the reference interview is “the onterpersonal communication that occurs between a reference libration and a library user to determine the person’s specific information need(s), which may turn out to be different from the reference question as initially posed . …. A reference interview may occur in person, by telephone, or electronically (Usually via e-mail) at the request of the user, but a well – trained reference librarian will sometimes initiate communication if a hesitant user appears to need assistance.

PURPOSE

• Aims to determine what the user exactly wants in terms of type, level, and kind of documents or information.

• It is the experience of reference librarians that only few were know how to ask questions.

IMPORTANCE

• Important aspect of providing reference service.

• If a reference librarian succeeds in finding exactly as to what the reader really wants

Half the battle is won.

PARTS OF REFERENCE INTERVIEW

• Welcoming • Gathering general information from the user

and getting an overview of the problem.• Confirming the exact question • Intervention, such as giving information,

advice or instructions.• Finishing, including feed back and summary.

FORMING THE QUERYBadly formed Badly formed

Queries Not solving user’s problems Queries Not solving user’s problems

Example : Qn : “ Where are the history Example : Qn : “ Where are the history books?books?

Actual information need : Scholarly Actual information need : Scholarly journal articles on the impact of the journal articles on the impact of the stirrup on the Norman conquest.stirrup on the Norman conquest.

USEFULNESS OF THE REFERENCE INTERVIEW

• For a long time, the value of the reference interview has For a long time, the value of the reference interview has stood unquestioned.stood unquestioned.

• More recently, with technological developments, some More recently, with technological developments, some researchers are beginning to questions the validity of researchers are beginning to questions the validity of the reference interview.the reference interview.

• As People increasingly use the internet to make major, As People increasingly use the internet to make major, life – affecting decisions, so they also require the life – affecting decisions, so they also require the services of professionals who are able to provide help services of professionals who are able to provide help this environment.this environment.

• In the age of information overload, a successful In the age of information overload, a successful reference interview may empower users to confidently reference interview may empower users to confidently make such decisions in their lives.make such decisions in their lives.

12 Things needed to conduct a successful interview.

Successful Interview

Non verbal Skills Verbal Skills

• Eye contact * Remembering • Gestures * Avoiding Premature diagnoses• Posture * Reflecting feelings verbally• Facial expression * Restating content and tone of voice * Using encouragers

* Closing * Giving opinions and suggestions * Asking open questions.

Consideration to be kept in view

• Every inquiry should be considered equally important.

• Helpful attitude is extremely important• Reference librarian should encourage the user

to talk without inhibition about the query.• Reference librarian should be a good listener.• Cheerful towards users.

Controversy about users

• User may not be aware of the to be able modern reference librarian to be able to assist him.

• User may possess inferiority complex.• Due to limitations of the knowledge, a user

would present his question in terms of what he knows.

• The user may have poor image of the librarian.

Duration of Reference Interview

• Time limit for holding reference interview cannot be specified.

• A reference librarian should spend more time, if the query is found to be not of clear – cut type.

Conclusion• In reference interview, a In reference interview, a

reference librarian and a user reference librarian and a user interact with each other.interact with each other.

•Elucidation of the query.Elucidation of the query.•We may conclude that reference We may conclude that reference

interview is more of an art interview is more of an art rather than a sciencerather than a science