S-1057 - 11/25/2003 - LIBRARY - Ordinances ExhibitsOAK BROOK PUBLIC LIBRARY
REFERENCE POLICY
PURPOSE
EXHIBIT
As reference service is a major role of the Oak Brook Public Library, it provides the link
between patrons and library resources. Service is provided by professionally trained
individuals on an equitable basis to all Oak Brook residents, persons with Oak Brook
library cards, or organizations with Oak Brook library courtesy cards. Limited reference
service will be provided to individuals who do not hold Oak Brook Public Library cards.
SERVICE PRIORITIES
Availability of service
Reference service is provided to all patrons regardless of age during all hours that the
Library is open. The entire collection is available for reference purposes All requests
for information will be handled impartially and with confidentiality.
Inquiries received in- person, by phone, fax, mail or email are answered as expeditiously
as possible with priority give to patrons on site. Written or electronic requests from
unidentified sources are not answered. Only a limited amount of directory, stock price,
or statistical information is provided by telephone due to time constraints and the
difficulty of accurately communicating verbally large amounts of data. Individuals
requesting large amounts, of information by telephone are asked to come to the Library.
In general, if telephone transactions cannot be completed within five minutes, the patron
will be called back with the desired information. Up to five pages of reference
information may be mailed or faxed at the discretion of a librarian.
There is no set limit to the amount of time which may be spent on a reference question.
The librarian will decide when reasonable sources have been exhausted. When other
patrons are waiting, staff may defer complex questions to a less busy time and contact
the inquirer later.
Sources and types of information provided
Reference staff uses many sources of information to answer questions This includes,
but is not limited to books, periodicals, electronic databases, government agencies,
associations, and individual authorities. A librarian's personal opinion will not be given
as fact, nor will a librarian offer interpretation of information or legal, medical, or tax
advice Citations to sources of information will be given with responses to questions.
Staff will guide people doing extensive research to appropriate sources Post - secondary
students will be directed to their college or university library for academic interlibrary
loans or for reference assistance when the resources of this library are insufficient. If an
Oak Brook patron requests a book which is not on the shelf or not in the Library's
collection, staff will offer to reserve the book or request the book through an interlibrary
loan. If a book is needed immediately, staff will try to locate it in another library and
have it held for the patron to pick up Every reasonable effort will be made to fill each
request and answer each question fully and accurately. However, librarians will not
research questions which are known to be part of a contest, game or school work, but
will suggest possible search techniques.
III. Fees
Reference service is provided free of charge except when charges are levied by an
outside supplying agency. Such charges are passed on to the patron.
IV Service to Non -Oak Brook Patrons
Limited reference service is available to non -Oak Brook patrons. -Non-residents who
visit the Library are guided in finding resources, but are referred to their local libraries
when the information sought is not readily available at the Oak Brook Public Library
PERIODIC REVIEW
This policy will be reviewed and /or revised periodically by the reference staff, Library
administration, and the Library Commission, although changes may be made as the
need arises. This policy and all subsequent revisions are subject to approval by the
Village of Oak Brook Board of Trustees. The quality of reference service will be
evaluated periodically by Library staff.
Adopted by the Village of Oak Brook Board of Trustees on 11 -25 -2003
Ordinance 2003- LY -EXI -S -1057. -
ORDINANCE 2003- LY -EX1 -S -1057
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BACK OF PAMPHLET
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A REVISED REFERENCE POLICY
FOR THE VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK PUBLIC LIBRARY
PUBLISHED IN PAMPHLET FORM BY ORDER OF THE CORPORATE AUTHORITIES OF THE
VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK, DU PAGE AND COOK COUNTIES, ILLINOIS