Purpose of Reference and Information Services

• To develop and maintain an up-to-date, relevant and readily accessible reference collection.
• To meet the general information needs of the Library clientele, notably students and faculty members.
• To provide the clients with both formal and informal instruction in exploring RUNLIB resources.

Services provided are as follows:

• Quick references – These are general reference queries which require quick reference assistance, using standard “Ready reference tools” such as Directories and Almanacs
• Search type questions – These that require assistance in the use of OPAC and Electronic sources such as the CD-ROM and the Internet.
• Lengthy research related queries are referred to respective subject Librarians.
• Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) – Faculty members who have indicated their teaching and research profiles are individually provided with a list of newly acquired materials each month.
• Library Newsletter – A quarterly newsletter is produced and distributed to inform the University community about new acquisitions and their activities of the Library.

User Education    

The primary objective is to equip library clientele with essential skills that will enable them exploit library resources fully at their disposal.
Two types of library instructions are available namely; orientation and bibliographic instruction

• Library Orientation is given to all new students to familiarize them with the physical layout, library holdings, and RUNLIB staff.
• Bibliographic Instruction/Use of Library is provided to 100 Level students as part of GNS 103 (Effective Study Behavior) to promote effective use of certain access tools like the OPAC and or a particular collection. This is usually arranged with respective subject Librarian(s).