Information and referrals
From SLNSW
Patrons often have needs that your library’s resources alone will not meet.
Contents |
Information and referral services
Patrons sometimes need the services of groups or agencies -- for social or health problems, for example.
Successful search strategies may include providing the patron with information about the group or agency that can provide needed assistance.
In our society, there are thousands of helping agencies. How can a person know which one to turn to for a particular problem? Helping put patrons in contact with the best agency for their needs is the role of "Information and Referral”. Information and referral tries to match patrons' needs with agencies to make good referrals.
Library Involvement
Libraries are becoming more involved in providing information and referral services as part of their overall mission of meeting patrons' information needs. Libraries often use community information directories. These directories are indexed by standard keywords describing the kinds of help offered. LINCS is an example of a community information directory.
You should think of referring patrons to agencies and groups as part of your overall answer to their question. A complex need (for example, a relative with a head injury) may be met by a combination of things:
- Referrals to local agencies.
- Books on coping with brain injury.
- Articles in magazines or databases.
- DVDs on how to care for a person with a disability.
Don't limit yourself to sources at hand on the library shelf. Think of good reference as providing assistance in meeting people's information needs.
Major Point: Patrons often have needs that your library’s resources alone will not meet. They need the services of special groups or agencies.
Exercises
- Find your local community directory. Find information about the local Men's Shed.
