Undergraduate Perceptions of the Reference Collection and the Reference Librarian in an Academic Library

Abstract

Many undergraduate students have no clear idea of the purpose and function of the reference collection and the services offered by the reference librarian. Uncertainty about these resources may cause students to overlook their usefulness, unsatisfactorily complete assignments, and develop a negative attitude concerning libraries. Through a survey, students related their perceptions of the reference collection and reference librarian. The results are intended to give the reference team insight into the students' conceptions and perhaps improve and enhance reference services to undergraduates.

Key Words:

• Undergraduate
• student
• reference collection
• librarian
• perception
• attitude