A Digital Reference Service For Mehta Senior Secondary School library (MSSL)

Abstract

In order to achieve an easier method of information distribution in libraries, designing and implementing a digital reference service system are being pushed as placement for manual service of information. The project aimed at designing a digital reference service for MSSSL.A case study research design was used and a qualitative research approach adopted in the study.A sample of 27 respondents since there is no information on the sampling as postulated by Roscoe (1975) who proposed use of thumb rules for determining sample size and they will represent the participating departments under the study area. Major finding was that MSSL does not have a digital reference service system. Services are offered to them manually both to the students and staff. Challenges faced were inadequate income, time, and space among others. From the findings above it is concluded that a lot of time is wasted during the manual service system in the library. The study recommends MSSSL to adopt the proposed designing of a digital reference service system to provide a centralized database of digitizing the library materials. The study concludes that the services offered by the library were user education, reference services among others. Major recommendation was that the management of the school should adopt the proposed designing of a digital reference service system because of its many benefits. Another recommendation is that they should endeavor to train librarians on how to operate with the system so that they can meet user’s needs. In addition, more budget for the library should be increased to purchase materials like computers and above all the users should be sensitized about the system.