Reference Tools for a Reference Librarian

[Govinder Singh]

Dear Friends,

I want to know about the reference tools (online and offline) that are used by a reference Librarian of a modern time.

[Govinder Singh]

Thanks allot  CHANDRASHEKHAR MALAV JI, Really you have good tools and best answers for my query.

 

[Siddhartha Shankar Ray]

Dear Sri Govinder Singh,

Practically speaking, Reference tools are of two types, one those are general and common like Dictionary, Encyclopedia, Gazetteers, Handbooks, Manuals, Maps, Atlas etc. etc. and the other are purposive or requirement specific and quite importantly, they differ according to subjects/disciplines and the users.

It is a bare fact that reference tools in a Public Library and a Research Library varies.

From my personal experience, I have seen at times, the Railways Time Table was one of the most sought after reference material in a suburban Public Library!! while in a Teaching hospital Library, I observed that "CIMS India" or "MIMS India" (it comprise Commercial names generic names and manufacturers names of medicines) was an important reference tool . Similarly, in an higher academic Library, MLA or Chicago Style manuals are extremely sought after reference tools at times!  So you can understand that it depends upon the requirement.

The general reference tools, as I can see ,plenty had been copy pasted earlier so I am not going to explain them but I would like add that that collections should be purposive (and certainly, budget specific!)

In case your query is for purely academic purpose, I believe that you already have excellent accounts of it as sent by Sri Chandrashekhar Malav. However, in case it is for any practical purpose (like, say, you want to develop a good collection of reference materials for your library, you have to be selective because the acquisition should be both purposive as well as budget specific.

Sincerely,

Siddhartha S. Ray, Calcutta

[Govinder Singh]

Thank you Siddhartha S. Ray ji for your replay.