View in EDS

Relational caretakers, solution providers and expert communicators: understanding librarians' approaches to reference service in Ghana.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Relational caretakers, solution providers and expert communicators: understanding librarians' approaches to reference service in Ghana.
Authors: VanScoy, Amy1 (AUTHOR) vanscoy@buffalo.edu, Adzobu-Armah, Nesba2 (AUTHOR) nesba.armah@ucc.edu.gh, Baidoo, Dinah Koteikor3 (AUTHOR) dbaidoo@ashesi.edu.gh
Source: Reference Services Review. 2026, Vol. 54 Issue 2, p109-120. 12p.
Subjects: Library reference services, Ghanaians, Information services, Library research, Librarians, Cross-cultural differences, Q technique
Geographic Terms: Ghana
Abstract: Purpose: This research explores Ghanaian librarians' orientations to reference and information service. Orientations to practice are values, attitudes and beliefs that librarians hold about their reference and research services practice. Design/methodology/approach: Q methodology, which involves a card sort and interview was used to explore the perspectives of 26 librarians from various types of libraries in Ghana. Findings: The study identified three groups of librarians based on their orientations to reference service: Relational Caretakers, who focus on making the user feel comfortable and welcome; Solution Providers, who provide the user with something whether it be information, a resource or instruction on how to find information on their own and Expert Communicators who focus on listening to users and understanding their needs. Originality/value: By comparing and contrasting findings with those of similar studies on the topic, the study suggests cultural differences in librarians' orientation to reference practice, along with common orientations to practice across the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Reference Services Review is the property of Emerald Publishing Limited and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Purpose: This research explores Ghanaian librarians' orientations to reference and information service. Orientations to practice are values, attitudes and beliefs that librarians hold about their reference and research services practice. Design/methodology/approach: Q methodology, which involves a card sort and interview was used to explore the perspectives of 26 librarians from various types of libraries in Ghana. Findings: The study identified three groups of librarians based on their orientations to reference service: Relational Caretakers, who focus on making the user feel comfortable and welcome; Solution Providers, who provide the user with something whether it be information, a resource or instruction on how to find information on their own and Expert Communicators who focus on listening to users and understanding their needs. Originality/value: By comparing and contrasting findings with those of similar studies on the topic, the study suggests cultural differences in librarians' orientation to reference practice, along with common orientations to practice across the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00907324