The document discusses the philosophy of reference services in academic libraries. It states that reference services help with individualization and socialization by creating meaning through self-development and community-development. It also discusses that the library is a place for intellectual freedom and thinking, and the role of the reference librarian is to enact freedom for students rather than dictate what they should learn. It emphasizes that academic reference services must address historical and relational needs, and provide a space for reflection, critique, and the pursuit of new ideas.

1. Philosophy of Reference Service

2.  Reference services help in understanding the
concepts of individualization and socialization.
The library is not about having strict socialization,
but having relationships that create meaning
through self-creation and communal-creation.
“Self-creation” refers to open-ended semiotic for
individuals and “communal-creation to open-
ended semiotic for communities.

3.  Through reference, the library becomes the
meeting ground for thinking, because information
is directive. Academic libraries, as a hub of
intellectual activity, point toward the need for
socialization and the need to remove barriers that
socialization imposes. The task of the reference
librarian is not to ask, “What should students
learn in college?” or “what job will this course of
study lead to?” Questions such as this suggest
that college faculties are instrumentalities that
can be ordered to a purpose. Instead, the task of
the library in general and the reference librarian in
particular, is to enact freedom before the very
eyes of the students.

4.  Academic reference services must address
historical and relational needs. The philosophy of
reference is rooted in an intellectual freedom that
ultimately fosters self-creation and communal-
creation. The academic library must provide a
refuge where users can seek information, reflect
and critique. The academic library must sustain
the use of reference services, a meeting place for
theory and practices. Reference services do not
just offer information about “what?” and “why?”
but also about “how?” thinking leads to possibility.

5. Reference Collection Policy

6.  The library collects materials in a variety of
formats and maintains several collections,
attempting to match format with departmental
needs and ease of access. The reference
collection is a key component of the library’s
collection, as and such, development of that
collection should follow the general guidelines set
out in the library’s collection development policy
statement. The reference collection policy is
aimed at further definition of the collection and
key procedures in building and maintaining that
resource.

7. Objectives of the reference collection
policy
 To establish guidelines, as concrete and definite
as possible, for both the subject scope of the
reference collection and the materials included.
 To set procedures for acquiring new materials
and for weeding the collection that will ensure the
development and maintenance of a complete and
convenient reference collection.

8. Qualities and Qualifications of a
Reference Librarian

9. Qualifications of a Reference
Librarian
 Reference librarian must:
 be responsive to the needs of users
 think critically
 be organized as well as organize or coordinate
projects and services for the user
 be aware of current trends and have a wide base of
knowledge
 effectively evaluate the sources that they come into
contact with so as to provide the user with the best
information possible
 be able to collaborate with others to improve services
and implement new services, in the profession and
also with the user
 be an advocate for the library and be involved in any
outreach programs and actively promote the library
and its services

10. Qualities of a Reference Librarian
 Reference librarians must have the people skills
necessary to provide good customer service
 Reference Librarians must be knowledgeable in their
field; they must have a good understanding of how to
find information, how to evaluate the quality of
information sources, and how information is organized
 Reference Librarians must be good teachers,
“demonstrating how, when, and why to use various
reference sources in an integrated way that will
capture the user’s attention at the teachable moment”
(Cassell & Hiremath, 2006, p.7).
 The ability to work within a team is also an essential
quality for reference librarians

11. Duties and Responsibilities

12.  Extend basic reference service to students, staff
and faculty.
 Ensure in-person professional reference service
to NSU library and Broward County users through
email and phone.
 Develop informational and instructional materials
on library services and resources.
 Organize and offer library instruction for individual
library users and NSU undergraduate students.
 Refer and research service as per attorneys and
firm personnel’s requests.
 Develop and update library instructional modules
and document instructional resources for
undergraduate classes.

13.  Create and manage evaluation modules for
undergraduate library instruction.
 Create and manage library operations manual,
attend meetings and gain professional
development opportunities.
 Strategize planning with Director of Library and
prepare annual library budget.
 Handle library in Library Director’s absence.
 Support print and electronic information materials
and resources usage.

14. Works cited
Kristin Jung (2008). Library Philosophy and
Practice. Retrieved from
www.webpages.uidaho.edu
library.up.edu/default.aspx
http://ww2.tnstate.edu/library/reference/role.html
http://www.morris.edu/reference-department