Success at the enquiry desk successful enquiry answering - every time

• Main Author: Owen, Tim (Author)
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: London Library Association 1998
• Edition: 2nd revised ed.
• Series: The successful LIS professional
• Subjects: Reference services (Libraries) > Automation
• Online Access: Click Here to View Status and Holdings.

 Revised for the second time, this guide aims to help professionals become self-sufficient in answering enquiries. It takes them step-by-step through all the stages, from finding out what the enquirer really wants, through deciding what sources to use and how much information to select, to providing an answer. This edition takes account of the many recent developments in the use of the Internet as a viable reference tool. It offers practical advice on: techniques for getting started; efficient search strategies; how much information to select; how to meet deadlines; how to choose between printed and electronic sources; and strategies to adopt if the answer is nowhere to be found. It is designed as a "one-stop" manual of techniques which are equally effective in large or small libraries or information units. Throughout the emphasis is on techniques rather than sources, but a list of 25 multi-purpose reference sources is included, complete with publisher Web sites.