Book Description

Answering questions from its users is one of the most important services undertaken by a library's staff. Yet it is one of the most difficult, least understood and most neglected of subjects. This book is a guide for library staff to check where to go to quickly find the answers they need. It is designed as a first point of reference for library staff, to be depended on if they are unfamiliar with the subject of an enquiry - or wish to find out more - and is arranged in an easily searchable A-Z list of around 250 of the subject areas most frequently handled at enquiry desks. Each subject entry lists information sources and where to locate them, including printed and electronic sources, relevant websites and other contacts for referral purposes. Entries also include notes on typical questions asked and how to tackle them, including supplementary questions you may need to ask enquirers to find out what they really want.