From Reference Service to Information Retrieval

Reference service was the core, the raison de etre of all library work for Dr. Ranganathan. As his Birth Centenary Year draws to a close. looking back at his many contributions to library and information science, the concept of personalised reference service to readers, which he first introduced into the library, remains a legacy of undiminishing value. Contrary to the general belief, the coming of the electronic age and its many information technologies have not overtaken the need for personalised service. They have on the other hand, created greater scope for intellectual commitment on the part of information personnel.