An Evaluation of Reference Service in Ramat Library, University of Maiduguri

Abstract

This study was conducted to Evaluate the reference service in Ramat Library University of Maiduguri. The study was guided by four objectives and four research questions. Related literature was reviewed on Evolution of reference service, concept of reference service, reference source, types of reference service, role of inter-library loan and evaluation of reference service. The study adopted survey research method. Three hundred and forty-one (341) respondents were selected for the study. The respondents comprise male and female students. The results of the study showed that there is availability of a dictionaries and serials as reference sources, inadequate ready reference service, shortage of qualified staff to satisfied users’ needs, inter-library loan as well as ineffective management of available resources. It was recommended that the Ramat library should explore the means of generating fund, improve the quality ready reference service to users, adopt constant or periodical evaluation of reference collection, and restructuring the library instruction programme where the emphasis will be laid on practical rather than theory.