Literature Search Services:

Literature search service is considered as an extension of reference service. An important aspect of literature search service is ascertaining the purpose of search. In assessing this aspect one has to understand the scope, depth and precise field of inquiry. This may necessitate a dialogue between the user and the information specialist, A quick assessment of the nature and extent of enquiry will indicate whether the search to be carried out is for a specific information (mainly requirei oy a technical worker) or for a few-select references (normally adequate for an administrator or policy maker) or for a comprehensive bibliographic information which is usually the requirement of a research worker. Once the parameters of a query are understood and analysed, a suitable search strategy can be formulated for searching different information sources. Much of the expertise in literature searching depends on identification and choosing the most appropriate sources to be searched and the order of searching them. Expertise in literature search can be developed only by experience. Knowledge of the subject field of search would be an asset in providing literature search service. On-line databases and CD-ROMs are increasingly being used for providing literature searches.