Putting Knowledge to Use - Evolving Global Information Infrastructure and Information Transfer - page 128

been developed by the Society of American Archivists and include the following:
creator information, an abstract of the collection, an explanation of the organiza-
tional scheme, and inclusive content notes—a succinct bibliographic history.
As technology has advanced, the bibliographic function has been transformed.
For example, the “open access” movement is a new perspective on the biblio-
graphic function. Academic librarians are working with researchers to organize and
store data and research reports in institutional repositories that may be open to
the public. This application of the bibliographic function teams an information pro-
fessional with researchers to help them store and retrieve their research data, fur-
ther engaging the information professional in the research function as researchers
complete their data collection, analysis, and report writing.
The bibliographic function has been, and continues to be, a vital aspect of
the information professional's work and of the information infrastructure. As the
amount of information and knowledge proliferates, the information professional's
ability to organize data and information and to provide finding aids becomes more
valuable.
Levels of Service
The above services, which attempt to promote knowledge utilization, may be
offered with differing outcome goals. A model for outlining levels of service was in-
troduced by Greer and Hale (1982) and uses the following terms:
Passive
“The passive level of service consists of a process of choosing, acquiring, and
organizing materials on the library shelves for the user to discover” (Greer and
Hale 1982, 359). The information professional does not attempt to assist with
the understanding or use of the information. For example, an information center
provides a collection of topics or journals, or it creates a database for use by clien-
tele with no assistance.
Reactive
An example of the reactive level of service, in which professional assistance is
provided on request of the clientele, is the traditional “reference service” offered in
most libraries. Another example is the provision of finding aids (bibliographies. me-
diagraphies, or webographies) upon request. “The bulk of the material chosen and
programs offered is based on the librarian's best judgment of relevance. Input from
the community is welcomed when it arrives, but it is not collected systematically”
(Greer and Hale 1982, 359).