Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Spring 5-30-2017
Journal
Archives and Manuscripts
First Page
1
URL with Digital Object Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01576895.2017.1324801
Last Page
19
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate how archivists conduct reference services. The investigators administered two surveys to 19 participants at 15 Canadian academic archives to understand archivists’ behaviour while performing reference. There is no standard approach to reference as many archivists use institution-specific tools coupled with their own knowledge. Finding aids are the most frequently accessed tool and are most often used in conjunction with other tools. Limited resources are the primary barrier to the provision of effective reference services. The tools that are employed by archives are archivist focused, which results in reference services that are not user focused.