Planning And Development of Information Services

 Introduction:

The libraries often offer various kinds of information services to its clientele to fulfill their information-related needs. The information services range to variety of kinds on the basis of the type of the library in which they are being offered and the targeted information needs. Some of the common forms in which information services that are generally offered by the libraries or the information centers or any other organization or industry working in the information field are: direct personal assistance, directories, signs, exchange of information culled from a reference source, reader’s advisory service,, dissemination of information in anticipation of the user needs or interests, and access to the electronic information.

 

 

Common Information services offered by Libraries:

To fulfill the information needs of the users, libraries generally provide the following information services namely:

·        Reference Service (Ready Reference Service/Short Range Reference Service and Long-range reference service)

·        Referral Services

·        Condensation service

·        Reader Advisory Service

·        User Orientation

·        Translation Service

·        Current Awareness Services (CAS)

·        Literature Search service

·        User Training

·        IT related services (OPAC, library website, virtual reference service, access to e-publication, computerized circulation service)

·        Reprographic Services

·        Compiling a Subject Bibliography

·        Document Delivery Service

·        Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI)

 

Why Planning of Information Services is necessary?

To maintain their value in a strategic position in an institution, libraries these days must plan strategically, their information services that they offer.

Many researchers like Schulz (1998), Bryson (2004) have showcased different benefits that a library can get if it decides to implement strategic planning in its information services.

The library gets benefited in the following ways:

·        Excelling in Customer Service

·        Enabling the Digital University

·        Providing Information Resources that meet Learning and Research Needs

·        Enhancing Learning through Technology

·        Supporting the University’s Research and Enhancing its Impact

·        Delivering Spaces that meet the needs of Learners, Teachers and Researchers

·        Becoming a Learning Organisation

·        Gain better sense of library’s and individual’s role in the organization

·        Realizing a shared sense of vision

·        Improving organizational communication

·        Development of strategies for networking

·        Clarify future directions

·        Improve performance

·        Solve major organizational problems

·        Build teamwork and expertise

·        Deal effectively with rapidly changing circumstances

 

 

Steps for Planning and Development of Information Services:

The preparation of a development plan for library services at all levels presuppose the following:

§  Review of acquired experience

§  Diagnosis

§  Determination of requirements and the financial implications

§  Programming

§  Publicity

§  Execution and evaluation

§  Financing

 

There is a 10 step process for planning and development of information services which can be enlisted as follows:

Ø Step 1: Analyze the community and its information needs.

Ø Step 2:Describe the overall nature of the service.

Ø Step 3:Predict the volume of traffic.

Ø Step 4: Describe the service points.

Ø Step 5: Determining staffing and training needs.

Ø Step 6: Determine resource needs.

Ø Step 7:Develop a marketing plan.

Ø Step 8: Determine how the service will be evaluated.

Ø Step 9: Explore relevant policy issues.

Ø Step 10: Develop an implementation schedule.

 

Conclusion:

There are many factors that can manipulate the value of the information being offered to the users, like timeliness, desired format, easy access, sorted content etc. that further depends upon the quality of the information services. So, to ultimately help the user with better and efficient access to the available resources, the library must follow the standard rules and procedures for planning and development of information services, as ultimately the service decides the quality of information a library is disseminating and not just a wide collection. A vast collection without proper information services is of no use to the user community.

 

References:

·         Final report of Information Services Strategic Plan, 2014-2019, Aberstwyth University available at https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/media/departmental/informationservices/pdf/Information-Services-Strategy-2014-19.FINAL_SHORT.pdf(Accessed on 14/07/2021)

·         Module 4, Library and Information Services for Users available at https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/SrSecLibrary/LCh-012.pdf(Accessed on 14/07/2021)

·         DAMSON, A. T. W. E. S. I. G. Y. E. (2019). Planning for library Services. Planning for Library Services. Available at https://www.academia.edu/39113542/Planning_for_library_Services(Accessed on 14/07/2021)

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