Reference Service

The reference desk or information desk of a library is a public service counter where professional librarians provide library users with directions to library materials, advice on library collections and services, and expertise on multiple kinds of information from multiple sources.

The function of libraries is three-fold. Libraries acquire information, organize that information in a way it can be retrieved, and disseminate the information the library has acquired. Reference services fulfill this last function.

Reference services may vary from library to library, but most libraries have information where assistance from a librarian is available. Dr. Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil Library provides reference services via Mobile, SMS, e-mail,  text, or chat services with a  librarian.

There are three main types of reference assistance:

Assistance or instruction with using the library, including locating materials, using the catalog, using computers to access information, and using basic reference sources.

Assistance identifying library materials needed to answer a question.

Providing brief, factual answers to questions, such as addresses, statistics, phone numbers, etc. that can be quickly located.