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 at
pre-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 being
made available through the media. This revolution has successfully changed the role of reference librarian in the new information and communication technology age.