Staying Afloat or Swimming with the Tide: Students’ Preference in Reference Services in a Public University Library

Abstract

This study assesses students’ preference in reference services in a Ghanaian Public University Library. Adopting the survey approach, all undergraduate and postgraduate students in the university were included in the study. The findings of the study revealed that, the virtual model of reference services (chat a librarian) is highly preferred by students when seeking for assistance from the library. Additionally, the findings also disclosed that students did not face any major challenge using their preferred reference service model. Based on the findings, the study recommends that although students may have preference for a particular reference services model, libraries should not lose touch with the traditional reference service model since it complements the digital reference services.