The importance of reference service in modern librarianship can hardly be
overemphasized. Reference service is considered as the hub of all library
activities, the supreme and ultimate function of the library and the very
essence of librarianship. The reference department in a well established library
is the pivot around which revolves the entire library activity. With the
explosion of literature in modern times, the library collections are growing at
a faster rate. The literature is being published in various forms and languages.
The phenomenal growth of periodical literature and various types of special
material has complicated the process of retrieval of information. The need for
an in term diary between the reader and his documents becomes imperative. The
concept of modern librarianship has entirely been changed. It enjoins upon the
librarian to offer maximum service to the reader. He deals in knowledge and not
mere volumes and it is his foremost duty to serve the reader pin- pointedly,
exhaustively and expeditiously in the procurement of documents and the location
of information. Reference service must pervade the whole atmosphere of the
library and every librarian should consider himself a reference librarian,
because the aim is to disseminate knowledge.