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.

Reference Services in Learning Commons

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.

Reference of a Record

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

San Jose State University

New York University

Types of services include:
- reference services
- reference resources
- intermediation
- digital resources
- information literacy instruction
- user experience
- access services
- hyperlinked libraries
- creation culture and makerspaces
- index based discovery services

Types of Information Services in Libraries

Cassell, K. A., & Hiremath, U. (2009). Reference and information services in the 21st century: An introduction (2nd ed.). Neal-Schuman Publishers.

Reference and information services in the 21st century: An introduction

Reference Services in Libraries

Libraries provide access to digital materials for the general public such as computers and internet access. This helps lessen the digital divide. 

Digital Resources

Large databases that are usually subscribed to by an institution for patrons to use for information seeking. 

Index-Based Discovery Services

Instruction designed to teach information literacy skills to any given group of information users.

Information Literacy Instruction

Libraries provide users with access to reference resources that are credible records that help fulfill their information needs. 

Learn Before

Related

Learn After