S-1552 - 12/11/2018 - LIBRARY - Ordinances Supporting DocumentsITEM 8.C.1
EXHIBIT A
Ordinance 2018-LY-EX1-S-1552
Adopting Revision to General
Policy for Library Page 2 of 3
OAK BROOK PUBLIC LIBRARY REFERENCE POLICY
Ordinance 2018-L Y-EX1-S-1552
Adopting Revision to General
Policy for Library Page 3 of 3
The Reference staff of the Oak Brook Public Library responds to the information needs of their
users, providing clear and accurate answers to all patron inquiries. Reference Service is provided
by professionally trained individuals.
This policy statement serves as a foundation for developing procedures and for providing
clarification to patrons and staff concerning reference services.
Services
•Reference services are available during all hours the library is open.
•All members of the staff shall provide consistent service to all users .
• Inquiries received in-person, by phone or electronically are answered as expeditiously as
possible, with priority given to patrons in the Library.
•Library staff may make judgments about the time available to answer lengthy questions, or
those requiring expertise or materials outside the Oak Brook Public Library. In such cases,
the staff will give a thoughtful referral to other resources or institutions .
•Librarians will not research questions which are known to be school work, a contest or
game; put will suggest possible research techniques.
•Interlibrary Loan outside of the library consortium is available to Oak Brook residents only.
•Professional staff will instruct in the use of technology, assist in electronic downloads and
inform users of databases and other available reference tools.
•Librarians can suggest both fiction and nonfiction titles for leisurely reading. This is known
as readers' advisory.
Resources
•Reference staff uses many sources of information to answer questions. These include, but
are not limited to books, periodicals, electronic sources, databases, government agencies,
associations and individual authorities.
•The professional staff reserves the right to determine which sources are most appropriate
for each query.
Ethical statement
•The Oak Brook Public Library subscribes to the American Library Association's Library Bill
of Rights and Code of Ethics.
•The department maintains strict confidentiality and privacy regarding all patron inquiries
and research interests within the confines of the Library General Policy and the limits of
the law.
Periodical review
This policy will be reviewed, reaffirmed or revised periodically by the Library staff and the Library
Commission. This policy and all subsequent revisions are subject to approval by the Village of
Oak Brook and the Board of Trustees.