Anticipatory reference and information services are offered in libraries in anticipation of a demand for such services. Keeping author and subject bibliographies ready, to give them on demand is one form of anticipatory reference service. Anticipation of demands presupposes assessment of requirements of user needs in advance. These services may include:
- Bibliographic compilations on specific topics
Current awareness service
- Newspaper clipping service
- Indexing service
- Abstracting
service
- Project information files
- User education programmes
This is a conventional
service offered in many libraries for a long time. University and special
libraries have to offer this service quite frequently, as the clientele as well
as their information needs are fairly well defined. Some of the important
aspects that call for attention in such compilations are:
- Objectives and purpose.
- Selection of topics.
- Scope of the topic in terms of its full
ramifications:
- Coverage with reference to types of documents.
- Coverage with reference to the age of
reference.
- Mode of presentation of entries.
- Supporting indexes.
- Updating procedures, if necessary; and
- Mode of production.
Short bibliographies topical
subject areas may also be compiled on occasions to highlight some recent
literature. These types of services may be on the eve of seminars, workshops
and such other occasions.
ii)
Current Awareness Service
This service is meant to keep researchers, advance level teachers and such others abreast of current developments taking place in their respective fields of study and research. Obviously, the emphasis will be only on current materials that report research and development on the wave front of knowledge all over the world. Users of current literature keenly look forward to accessing tools such as current awareness bulletins. 'Current Contents' is a typical example of current awareness tool at the international level. At the local library level, the service has to be carefully planned, taking the help of users in selecting the titles of journals to be included for the service as well as other types of literature like research reports, monographs and treatises, conference papers, etc. The service can be offered in the form of weekly bulletins, depending upon the quantity of materials received in the library. Monthly accession lists and display of new arrivals, both monographs and serials, are two basic forms of Some of the aspects that should get full attention in the preparation and production of current awareness service at the local level.
- Subject scope and coverage
- Selection of types of documents Frequency
- Mode of presentation of information -- contents by journal, classified lists, etc.
- Means for physical production
- Supporting indexes.
iii) Newspaper
Clipping Service
This service is a kind of current awareness service covering current socio-political and techno-economic events and activities. This service would be required by R&D managers, researchers at all levels and the general category of users wishing to be kept informed about current affairs. Depending upon the needs of a particular group of clients, subjects covered may vary. But the essence of this service is to bring to the notice of users reports about current events, activities, personalities. The following would need attention in organizing this service:
- Subject or area to be covered.
- Selection of events to be noticed such as reports on government actions and its policies on current issues pertaining to educational, research, economic, social and political matters; editorials; views and comments; feature articles and others.
- Newspapers to be scanned.
- Clippings file and its organization.
- Index file and arrangement of entries.
- Frequency.
iv) Abstracting
Service
This service is for providing current and retrospective literature on chosen fields with abstracts as well as citations of articles and papers appearing in current journals, and also reports, conference papers and proceedings The aspects which needs attention in the production of abstract bulletins are:
- Subject identification
- Selection of items to be included
- Sources
- Citation practice
- Preparation of abstracts or using author abstracts Presentation of entries
- Supporting indexes
- Frequency
- Physical production.
v)
Project information Files
Project
information files are information support provided to projects undertaken by
research institutions, university departments, government bodies and others in
which different groups of specialists may be involved. Retrospective and current
information in the form of literature references, statistical facts and figures
and other types of information are continuously compiled and maintained in a
cumulated form in card files or computer based files. This is constantly
updated. If necessary, specific areas may be taken up for the preparation and
production of specialized information bulletins at periodical intervals. This
service would usually terminate at the termination of the project. The contents
of the file are determined on the basis of the different subject areas relevant
to the project. The entries may be citations with or without abstracts.
vi) User
Education Programmes
This
service is a sort of orientation programme for users at different levels
helping them to use the library and its collection effectively. Such programmes
are offered to students at school, college and university levels, particularly
to junior entrants in re-search organizations and new entrants in any
institution in order to expose them to library collections and library
services.
In designing such programme, the main points that require attention are:
- The target groups for whom the orientation course to be offered.
- Duration.
- Course contents.
- Course materials.
- supporting oral instructions.
- Demonstrations of the use of reference tools through audio-visual kits;
- Knowledgeable and trained faculty.
- Practical and self-learning exercises, and
- Evaluation.
References and Further
Reading
Davinson, D. (1980). Reference Service. London:
Clive Bingley.
Egyankosh (n.d). BLIS-06 Information Services
(module).
Fourie, Ina. (2001)
Current Awareness Services in an Electronic Age: The Whole Picture.
Guha, B. (1983). Documentation and Information.
Calcutta: World Press.
Hamilton, Feona (1995).
Current Awareness: Current Techniques. USA: Ashgate Publishing Company. Kemp,
A. (1979). Current Awareness Services. London: Clive Bingley.
Katz, W.A. (1982). Introduction to Reference Work.
In: Reference Services and Reference Processes: 4th ed. Vol. II. New York:
McGraw-Hill Book Company.
Krishan Kumar (1996). Reference Service. 5th ed.
New Delhi: Vani Educational Books.
Ojala, Marydee (1991). Staying Alive Online with
Online Clipping Services. Online. 15(3), 80-82.
Ranganathan, S.R. (1961). Reference Service. 2nd
ed. Bombay: Asia Publishing House.
Ranganathan, S.R. (1963). Documentation and its
Facets. Bombay: Asia Publication.
Rowley, J. (1994). Revolution in Current Awareness
Service. Journal of Librarianship and Documentation. 26(1), 7-13.
