Knowledge and Skills for Providing Reference Services in Archives Institutions

Abstract

The study aimed to identify the knowledge and skills required for the effective provision of reference services among archivists in archival institutions, especially at the President’s Office-Department of Records and Archives Management (PO-RAMD) in Tanzania. The study employed a descriptive research design, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches to collect and analyse data from 43 respondents selected via convenience sampling. Questionnaires, interviews, and documentary reviews were used to collect data. The findings revealed that the majority of PO-RAMD archivists had the knowledge and skills to provide reference services. These include communication skills, collection management, research knowledge, user knowledge, and managerial skills. However, not all archivists had the required knowledge and skills for effective reference. A lack of all the required reference knowledge and skills among a few archivists led to the failure to meet users’ needs. The study recommended that the PORAMD should provide training on reference services, including knowledge and skills for archivists with inadequate reference knowledge, and emphasise the sharing of reference knowledge and skills among PO-RAMD archivists and others outside the PORAMD to advance their knowledge and skills for effective reference service provision within the PO-RAMD.