The purpose of a record is to be used by patrons to gain information on a certain topic. An archivist can help the person find what they are looking for through reference services.

New York University

- Creation
- Maintenance and Use
- Disposition
- Arrangement and Description
- Preservation
- Reference
- Continuing Use

Lifecycle of a Record

Services provided by librarians to help users find resources that fulfill their information needs.

Reference Services in Libraries

National Archives. (2016, August 15). What's a Record?. Retrieved July 12, 2021, from https://www.archives.gov/about/info/whats-a-record.html

What's a Record?

A person of organization produces or receives a record

Creation of a Record

The record is organized and stored with similar, relevant material when in use

Maintenance and Use of a Record

A record is evaluated and judged whether it should be kept or destroyed

Disposition of a Record

Records are put in protective folders/boxes and given a short summary of what is contained in the records

Arrangement and Description of a Record

Records are put in protective folders/boxes to help ensure they last longer

Preservation of a Record

Reference of a Record

Records can be displayed or shared for reasons other than reference. An example of this is to use a record to teach history.

Continuing Use of a Record

Guidelines approved by the Reference and User Services Association Board of Directors for having a successful reference interview include:

- visibility/approachability
- interest
- listening/inquiring
- searching
- follow-up

RUSA Guidelines

Reference services are generally broken into two parts:

1- Specifying the question

2- Answering the question

Two Parts of Reference Services

Reference services can take place: 
- in person at the library
- on the telephone
- online
- via SMS (text) messaging


Reference Services Channels in Libraries

These are variations of references services offered as a part of Information Commons spaces

Reference Services in Information Commons

These are variations of references services offered as a part of Learning Commons spaces.

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