Refernce+in+a+Digital+Information+Environment

The library is a human system, Learners and librarians have shaped the institutional settings in which learning can or cannot occur. The human aspect of the library is paramount and underlies aii inquiry even in an ear of digital transformation. The culture of "library as place" has changed significantly in the post Internet age. Student are responding to the omnipresence of education Internet resources. The adaptaion of technology to reference work is growing in many permutations on academic campuses. Researchers worldwide have experienced using digital reference services, as well as using technology - enhanced reference at university library.


 * Different ways of looking at Reference Work**

There are communication advantages and disadvantages inherent in using in each mode of reference deliver. Understanding the process of researcher inquiry and librarians' communication with the researcher is essential to understanding the utility of any technological support for the process. for example, looking at what librarians and researchers do in person with a computer aspart of the conversation is different from looking at two-person conversation.

In one traditional model of reference, the researcher has a question and the librarian simply provides the answer. This model will work for factual questions that are quick and easy, but as the reference interaction becomes more comples, the model is inadequate. for example, instruction is required as part of the reference interview for advanced questions. The type of instruction depends upon both the researcher's and the librarian's knowledge.


 * Digital reference**

Digital teansactions are described differently from face to face ones. Reviews of literature in the area of communication between librarian and researcher reveal that success factors from the past are still citied as evidence of the need for the profession to focus on the practice of human skills. Chat services are also a popular feature prominently featured on home pages of academic libraries nationwide, and promise the immediacy of the face to face interview. Recent explorations of the reference process present focused steps for online interactiona as seen in preparation manuals for digital reference work, as well as step to take in face to face work.


 * Digital Reference Communication**

The communication divide between researcher and library can still be seen in digital reference work, and deserves examination. Student in a library school reference class offered the following comments on their experiences with digital reference. It is clear that the communication process valued by students in study are still valued by students in class. Most students found some of the canned responses the most personable. Among the issues raised by student were aspects of communication, summarized evidence in the demonstrates the mixed experiences of a specific group, and shows where digital reference areas need clear attention.


 * Conclusion**

Today's researchers are both sophisticated and naive, as documented by numerous research. They are sophisticated about delivery options, and yet native about the cognitive tasks needed when the information has been received has been received. This is the vital area where a reference librarian can intervene with reality and caring, helping taht researcher progress towards meaningful information. student inquiry culture has undergone a major shift, and well may present institutions of higher education with paradoxical situations: student may see information as available, all sorted out, ready for instant application i the term paper.


 * Reference**

Yue. Joseph 2000. "digital and Outreach in academic Libraries," Colorado Library 26 (3); 34 - 35 Straw, Joseph E. 2000. "A Virtual Understanding: The Rdference Interview and Question Negotiation in the Digital Age" reference researcher Services Quarterly 39 (4): 376-79