Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1994. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 224-233).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 224-233).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rutgers University, 2008. / "Graduate Program in Communication, Information and Library Studies." Includes bibliographical references (p. 176-184).

This study describes a survey of 237 first-year undergraduate students conducted at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Through this study, the researcher aimed to fill in gaps in librarians’ knowledge about first-year students’ awareness of reference services, and students’ preferred modes of communication with librarians. The results show significant positive relationships between librarians’ verbal promotion of reference services and students’ tendency to ask reference questions in person.

The traditional academic reference environment has been transformed by electronic technology. The purpose of this study is to investigate the consequences of this transformation concerning the changing role of the reference librarian as well as the new competencies that are needed to be efficient in this electronic information environment. Research method: A literature study was conducted in order to establish the nature of the traditional academic reference environment; to determine the changes that took place in the electronic reference environment and the effect of these changes on the role expectations and competencies of the academic reference librarian. Core findings: The role of the academic reference librarian in an electronic environment has changed from sole information provider in the traditional environment to facilitator and guide to relevant resources in the electronic environment. Three main roles have been identified: it can be expected of an academic reference librarian to be a trainer, an information manager and to be equipped to handle information enquiries via electronic mail. Reference librarians need additional training and continuing education in order to develop new skills and acquire new knowledge to enable them to handle these identified tasks. Although responsibilities for providing training and education opportunities reside with library managers, in the end, each reference librarian must assume responsibility for acquiring the required competencies. Librarians must not see the developments in information technology and especially Internet as a threat, but as an opportunity and vehicle to deliver and support better information services to users. / Thesis (M.Bibl.)--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2002.

The traditional academic reference environment has been transformed by electronic technology. The purpose of this study is to investigate the consequences of this transformation concerning the changing role of the reference librarian as well as the new competencies that are needed to be efficient in this electronic information environment. Research method: A literature study was conducted in order to establish the nature of the traditional academic reference environment; to determine the changes that took place in the electronic reference environment and the effect of these changes on the role expectations and competencies of the academic reference librarian. Core findings: The role of the academic reference librarian in an electronic environment has changed from sole information provider in the traditional environment to facilitator and guide to relevant resources in the electronic environment. Three main roles have been identified: it can be expected of an academic reference librarian to be a trainer, an information manager and to be equipped to handle information enquiries via electronic mail. Reference librarians need additional training and continuing education in order to develop new skills and acquire new knowledge to enable them to handle these identified tasks. Although responsibilities for providing training and education opportunities reside with library managers, in the end, each reference librarian must assume responsibility for acquiring the required competencies. Librarians must not see the developments in information technology and especially Internet as a threat, but as an opportunity and vehicle to deliver and support better information services to users. / Thesis (M.Bibl.)--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2002.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Miami University, Dept. of Psychology, 2005. / Title from second page of PDF document. Document formatted into pages; contains [2], vi, 72, [22] p. : ill. Includes bibliographical references (p. 35-37).

Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie studie word die rol van interpersoonlike komrnunikasie in die funksionering van die algemene inligtingsdiens van die Unisa Biblioteek aan die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika ondersoek. 'n Kwantitatiewe meetinstrument word ontwikkel om gebruikertevredenheid met die hoofkomponente van die algemene inligtingsdiens, naamlik die inligtingsassistent, die inligting wat deur die klient ontvang word en die fisiese omgewing waarin die diens gelewer word, te evalueer. Daar word bevind dat 'n beduidende assosiasie bestaan tussen gebruikertevredenheid met die inligtingsassistent en gebruikertevredenheid met die inligting wat ontvang word. 'n Verkorte vrae lys word ontwerp en aanbevee 1 as 'n meetinstrument waarmee die bestuur gebruikertevredenheid met die algemene inligtingsdiens op 'n gereelde grondslag kan meet. / This study investigates the role of interpersonal communication in the functioning of the general information service provided by the Unisa Library at the University of South Africa. A quantitative measuring instrument is developed to evaluate user satisfaction with the main components of the general information service, that is the information assistant, the information received by the client and the physical surroundings in which the service is provided. It is found that a significant association exists between user satisfaction with the information assistant and user satisfaction with the information received. A shortened questionnaire is designed and recommended as a measuring instrument with which management can on a regular basis measure user satisfaction with the general information service. / Communication Science / M.A. (Communication)

Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie studie word die rol van interpersoonlike komrnunikasie in die funksionering van die algemene inligtingsdiens van die Unisa Biblioteek aan die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika ondersoek. 'n Kwantitatiewe meetinstrument word ontwikkel om gebruikertevredenheid met die hoofkomponente van die algemene inligtingsdiens, naamlik die inligtingsassistent, die inligting wat deur die klient ontvang word en die fisiese omgewing waarin die diens gelewer word, te evalueer. Daar word bevind dat 'n beduidende assosiasie bestaan tussen gebruikertevredenheid met die inligtingsassistent en gebruikertevredenheid met die inligting wat ontvang word. 'n Verkorte vrae lys word ontwerp en aanbevee 1 as 'n meetinstrument waarmee die bestuur gebruikertevredenheid met die algemene inligtingsdiens op 'n gereelde grondslag kan meet. / This study investigates the role of interpersonal communication in the functioning of the general information service provided by the Unisa Library at the University of South Africa. A quantitative measuring instrument is developed to evaluate user satisfaction with the main components of the general information service, that is the information assistant, the information received by the client and the physical surroundings in which the service is provided. It is found that a significant association exists between user satisfaction with the information assistant and user satisfaction with the information received. A shortened questionnaire is designed and recommended as a measuring instrument with which management can on a regular basis measure user satisfaction with the general information service. / Communication Science / M.A. (Communication)