Southern Ontario Library Service

EXCEL: A certificate programme in managing a small public library

E4-Information Services

ASSIGNMENT 6

Submit this assignment to your tutor/instructor by the due date on the schedule accompanying this course.

Your assignment for this module is to write a two- to three-page description of the information services currently provided in your library to prepare for the development of a complete Information Service Policy. Use the following instructions as a guide:

• Refer to the outline on the next page, and the sample policies identified by the reading earlier in this module.
• Using the sample outline for Information Service Policy provided as your guide, fill in as much information as you can
• You may combine sections, but you should cover all of the points listed in the outline.

Your policy outline may be in point form or sentences if you prefer. By reading the finished product, a new staff member or patron should have a clear idea of what services the library offers.

Remember that you are describing only your information services, not other aspects of your library’s service. If there are aspects of service that your library does not offer (e.g. a photocopier), say so.

INFORMATION SERVICE POLICY

I. Purpose

1. Reason for providing information service — the aim of service.
2. You could also include the purpose of the information service policy (but this statement should not be the purpose of your library in general).

II. Introduction

1. Scope of service: for whom, and in what locale, does your library provide information service?
2. Categories of users: adults, young adults, children, anyone else?
3. When is information service provided?

III. Types of information service

1. Information: factual (ready reference) questions (what do you do about exams, contests, puzzles?); other potential problem areas?
2. Instruction: in use of card catalogue, reference materials, other noteworthy areas.
3. Reader’s advisory: suggesting suitable titles on any subject or by an author.
4. Referral: for subject questions, interlibrary loan, other agencies.
5. Bibliographic: compiling bibliographies on subjects, or on works by authors.

IV. Information service delivery and priorities

Are there differences in what you do concerning checking the catalogue, checking shelves, locating information, etc., depending on whether the user is there in person, or inquiring by telephone or mail?

V. Guidelines for library personnel

1. Priority of information service in relation to other library tasks
2. Staff attitudes and behaviours in dealing with the public, for example, approachability, attitude.
3. Interpreting information located in library resources
4. Recording statistics and questions (indicate purpose)
5. Recording and reporting problems (indicate purpose)
6. Circulating reference materials
7. Use of telephone and photocopier — personal, staff, patron use, emergency.

*End*
2006 Edition