The Changed Role Of Reference Librarian By Cultural Disposition Of Users In The Post-Internet Era

Abstract

A concept paper devoted to highlight the effects of cultural disposition of four distinct sets of cultural categories namely: hierarchical, individualistic, egalitarian and fatalistic users of library on reference librarian. The paper critically reviewed the information users’ behavioural dimensions to reference services based on cultural dispositions in knowledge acquisition both atpre-Internet and post-Internet era. The revolutionary effects of Internet in the provision of reference services to four categories of information users are discussed. The paper conclusively revealed through a diagrammatic presentation that ICT has successfully put every user, irrespective of cultural disposition, on a platform where the avalanche of information are beingmade available through the media. This revolution has successfully changed the role of reference librarian in the new information and communication technology age.