Reference and Information Services: An Introduction

Abstract

In the digital era it is trite to say the metamorphosed libraries and their information services are still in a flux. With the coming of the Google and its cohorts Alexa and Siri the seemingly threatened institution of information services in libraries is at the cross roads. Many readers feel the redundancy of the reference department of a library as every reader is its own reference librarian. But expert librarians swear by its enhanced need due to the heightened expectations of library users. It is no denying the fact that the Google instantly answers ready-reference type questions anytime anywhere without going to the library. It is true but only for quick and hard-fact type questions.