Here, there and everywhere: an analysis of reference services in academic archives

  • Amanda Oliver Western Archives, Western University, London, Canada
  • Amanda Jamieson Western Archives, Western University, London, Canada
  • Anne Daniel Western Archives, Western University, London, Canada
Keywords: Reference, access, academic archives, reference tools

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.

Published
2017-05-29
How to Cite
Oliver A., Jamieson A. and Daniel A. (2017) “Here, there and everywhere: an analysis of reference services in academic archives”, Archives & Manuscripts, 45(2), pp. 136-154. doi: 10.1080/01576895.2017.1324801.
Section
Articles