Reference and Loan Services which complement System services

Reference and Loan Library staff have identified the following activities which we believe go beyond the reference services which public library systems offer:

• Reference staff may spend an hour to an hour and a half or more on each request. This time is spent:
  
  
  • Exploring Internet resources: using multiple search engines and search terms.
    
    
  • Checking a wide variety of electronic resources, including commercial databases such as DIALOG, WestLaw, Lexis/Nexis, and FirstSearch.
    
    
  • Checking print materials in the general collection as well as the reference collection, including indexes and table of contents of specific books.
    
    
  • Checking audiovisual resources available nationwide.
    
    
• Reference staff tap into a network of resources which includes the following:
  
  
  • Consulting with reference staff at special libraries, including those on the UW-Madison campus.
    
    
  • Contacting state employees or University of Wisconsin specialists.
    
    
  • Sending e-mails to contacts identified through the Internet.
    
    
  • Exchanging selected unfilled requests with MINITEX.
    
    

For questions about this information, contact Shiela A. Pollock (608) 224-5395

Last updated on 2/26/2008 10:37:11 AM