Asking experts
From SLNSW
What do you do when an answer isn't in the library or library's collection?
Contents |
Who knows the answer when beginning work on a reference question?
Sometimes it may be more efficient and productive to ask yourself "who knows the answer" rather than what book or online source contains the answer. Remember your job is to meet the patron's information need in whatever way works best. Putting a patron in touch with a knowledgeable individual who can help is often a far better way to really meet those needs. Don't be afraid to cultivate local experts and call on them for help.
Thinking about this can actually inform how you search and where you search.
How can you locate local experts?
You can use your own knowledge and contacts to identify people who can help. Remember to check your community information database. Be alert to the patron, you will come to know their strengths and areas of expertise. Other staff often know the community and patron well, perhaps a colleague on a library listserv or blog can help. The local phone directory, web directory or your community information directory or web site may help you identify people working in various fields.
Have a question about identifying a plant - try your collection but a botanic garden may also help, read your local newspaper.
Major Point: It is often as efficient and productive to ask yourself, "who knows the answer" rather than what books or databases contain the answer.
Exercises
- Which of the five resources you've been working with has information on the population of your town, your local government area or the state? If none of the five has all the answers, where else might you look? See Module 4 Client sources
- Without using ABS resources, how might you discover information about your local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community groups? What language or dialect do they use? What and where are the local Aboriginal Land Councils?
- What resources might you use to locate a snake catcher or the winner of the local campdrafting competition?
- Is there someone in your library or in your community who would have this information? Are they readily available to you or to your patron?
