Readiness for digital reference service (DRS) in university libraries: a survey in the Punjab, Pakistan

The paper reports a research study aimed to explore the readiness for digital reference service (DRS) of university libraries of the province of Punjab, Pakistan, in terms of organizational awareness, willingness, planning and strength of resources. This descriptive research employed the survey method. The survey instrument (questionnaire) was reviewed by a panel of LIS experts of national level and was worded to achieve an official organizational response to probe the status. Thirty-eight libraries of Higher Education Commission (HEC) recognized universities participated in the study. The findings reveal that only a few libraries were at a level of DRS readiness while the others were adopting this system at a slow pace.