Ready and Long-Range Reference Services

Abstract

The study deals with two types of Reference Services: Ready Reference Services & Long-Range Reference Services in an attempt to differentiate between the two types in respect of time exhausted to get the needed information, kinds of reference used to furnish it, and the nature of information sought. It states that long range reference service even it is one of the features of special libraries - it is necessary for all kinds of libraries. It does not rely on ready reference books only, but continue into other to get help from other libraries, other institutions, and sometimes it contacts individuals too. It states that collected information for the purposes of long range reference services will be of use in the future where such information would get converted into ready reference service. The study emphasizes that success of reference services in general relies too much on the availability of reference books and the knowledge of books on the part of reference librarian. Similarly - for long range reference service - it is essential for the librarian to possess good mastery of bibliographical organization and familiarity with growth and development of the universe of subjects.