• Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.214-231
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• 2002

This paper describes recent developments and trends of digital reference services. A brief overview of selected research on issues surrounding digital reference service is provided. It also discusses how technological developments in libraries have led to the emergence of new service paradigms. This paper briefly reviews reference and information services provided by libraries, those from publishers, those provided by experts, and those where users need to conduct a search and find information through the web. The current trend shows that the cooperative model is increasingly popular. Some projects on collaborative digital reference services(CDRS) are introduced. Librarians will need to continue analyzing the need for cooperative work in the reference service in a digital environment.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.345-376
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• 2013

Because of increased concern regarding health and well-being, interest in consumer health information (CHI) has also increased, leading to a growing number of health-related websites. As a result, research has shown that public libraries are experiencing an increased demand for CHI-related reference services. The task of providing these services then falls on the public reference librarian, who is often untrained and inexperienced in this area. Therefore, improvements to how public libraries provide CHI reference services effectively are needed. This study analyzed the previous research at home and abroad, and developed CHI reference guidelines for public librarians. Guidelines developed in this study went through a verification process utilizing expert advice and a survey of public librarians.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.26
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• pp.541-573
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• 1997

This study reviews several innovative electronic reference services that will be transformed in the age of the virtual library. This study focused on reference service via E-mail and electronic bulletin board which is regarded as the most important service in a variety of electronic reference services. Through E-mail and the electronic bulletin board, the user submits questions and the librarian responds with the answer. Though interest in using E-mail and electronic bulletin board as a basis for reference service has grown considerably in recent years, it is still in its infancy in Korea. Thus the purpose of this study is to propose a model electronic reference service system using E-mail and the electronic bulletin board for university libraries in Korea. This system consists of the following modules: electronic reference services policy, open reference service via electronic bulletin board, closed reference service via E-mail, and FAQ. This system is meant to be a guide for those considering implementing such a service.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.117-133
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• 2001

This study presented the necessity of the development of a digital reference service systems as a method for direct information service in the library on the internet. The purpose of this research is to find commonalities for building a model of digital reference service. This study used qualitatives methods(elite interviews and document analysis) to extract accumulated knowhow from fourteen expert services sites which are similar with reference services in the library. For effective management of the digital reference service, it is necessary to have a digital reference service librarian who is well versed in the inner workings of the service and in the knowledge the service deals with.

• Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.70-95
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• 1985

The purpose of the present study is to verify the two hypotheses: (1) Online services are fundamentally automated versions of the reference services. Accordingly there will be a major impact on reference services when Online service is introduced into the traditional library environment. The chief impact will be that the use of data bases retrieval service supplements and improves the traditional reference service when Online service is coordinated with the traditional reference service. and is fully incorporated into the existing user service areas. (2) The availability of data bases retrieval service will make it possible for the first time for the reference services to offer substantial search services of any kind resources limited to the printed sources. In light of such circumstances, libraries would provide better service to their users and greatly increase the productivity of reference librarians. There will be also the recognition that a result of an improved professional image for reference librarians and the library heightens user interest. This change may be translated into increased usage of library services generally. To achieve the purpose, 4 Research Libraries adopted Online retrieval from DIALOG's data bases-searching and reference services available in-house were chosen.

• International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.27-41
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• 2023

The outbreak of the corona virus diseases (COVID-19) in the late 2019 has affected all facets of educational system including library and information services. Reference services, an important aspect of library services are not exempted from this impact. This study therefore, investigated the impact of COVI\D-19 pandemic on the use of reference services and sources by postgraduate students using Kenneth Dike Library (KDL), University of Ibadan, as a case study. Using descriptive survey of correlational type, the study adopted the use of structured questionnaire to randomly select three hundred (300) postgraduate users of reference sources and services in KDL using online survey monkey. Of the three hundred (300) copies, two hundred and twenty three (223) copies, repre- senting 74.3% were retrieved and used for analysis. Findings revealed that, in spite of COVID-19 pandemic, most postgraduate students used Current Awareness Services (203, 91.0%, mean = 3.19), Reference Sources (202, 90.5%, mean = 3.18) and On-line Public Access Catalogue (195, 87.4%, mean = 3.13); low frequency of bibliotherapy (mean=2.22), Reader's Advisory services (mean=2.30) and inter-library loan (mean=2.13) and that COVID-19 pandemic had high impact on post- graduate students' use of reference services in Kenneth Dike Library, University of Ibadan. Based on the findings, recommendations were made that library management should consider the adoption of virtual reference services (VRS) in addition to the conventional mode of refer- ence services to enhance patronage in the COVID-19 era. The library users should also be trained on how to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to learn new skills in the digital space that will eventually optimize the usage of the library remotely.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.385-404
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• 1999

Librarians, who work for University libraries in Korea experience a lot of confusion and difficulties because of rapidly-changing technological conditions and under-developed understanding of the University Libraries' full potential on the part of the users. I present the concept of 'Subject Services' as an approach which librarians could use to overcome these difficulties in their own way. The 'Subject Services' refers to the 'subjectized' collection development and reference services, which can more specifically address the users' needs. To make this idea more concrete, I selected Pusan National University Library as the case of my qualitative research. And I made use of various research techniques such as 'participant observation' and 'ethnographic interview'. After looking into the case library in depth, I found that the concept of 'Subject Specialist'. a person who has double master's degrees including that of library and information science, is more suitable to the University Libraries in Korea at the present developmental stage. At the end of this article, propose that the development of Core Collections, the improvement of subject-oriented reference services and the continuing education of librarians should be emphasized.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.51-65
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• 2009

This study attempted to investigate users' information needs in an educational research library, which delivers web-based digital reference services to library users, by analyzing reference questions asked by remote users. A total of 242 questions from two electronic bulletin boards was examined in terms of 6 types of questions asked and 23 subareas of education. The study found that 56.1% of reference questions on the library bulletin board were pure reference questions in curriculum, textbooks and teaching & instruction. Suggestions for effective use of digital reference services were made: easy access to menu services, use of web forms, development of digital reference systems providing search functions and response functions.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.367-383
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to develop a practical model for enhancing cooperative virtual reference services of public libraries in the nation. The research methods include an examination of model cases from Europe and the V.S. and also an electronic questionnaire survey of 375 public librarians (73% response rate). The study results suggest the need for 'a collaborative virtual reference room' which consists of the collaborative reference database, virtual reference desk, guidance and instruction designed by age groups and/or subjects.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.69-86
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• 2000

This study investigated the current state of the reference services of the Korean university libraries and examined ways to improve the system. Especially this study introduced the concept of 'subjectized reference services'and tried to find a way to apply it to the present stage of the Korean university libraries. For that purpose, this study surveyed the reference librarians of the university libraries across the country. The results of this study can be used as the basic data for training 'subject specialist librarians', who can provide specialized services appropriate to the realities of the Korean university libraries.