Comments on: Reference Question of the Week - 2/10/08 http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/2008/02/16/reference-question-of-the-week-21008 or, The Hitchhiker's Guide to Fear and Loathing at a Public Library Reference Desk Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:06:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Brian Herzog http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/2008/02/16/reference-question-of-the-week-21008#comment-49264 Brian Herzog Sat, 23 Feb 2008 23:20:47 +0000 http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/?p=262#comment-49264 Thank you, all of you. I feel bad not being able to help someone, but you're right - it's better to let the patron continue researching rather than give a wrong answer or do all the work for them. Thank you, all of you. I feel bad not being able to help someone, but you’re right - it’s better to let the patron continue researching rather than give a wrong answer or do all the work for them.

]]> By: Leah http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/2008/02/16/reference-question-of-the-week-21008#comment-49263 Leah Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:44:55 +0000 http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/?p=262#comment-49263 You so did not cop out. I believe that guiding reference assistance is much more effective then just giving people answers. Teach a person to fish, right? You so did not cop out. I believe that guiding reference assistance is much more effective then just giving people answers. Teach a person to fish, right?

]]> By: Stephanie Chase http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/2008/02/16/reference-question-of-the-week-21008#comment-49261 Stephanie Chase Tue, 19 Feb 2008 02:53:45 +0000 http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/?p=262#comment-49261 I agree that you gave a great answer. The real Reference Question is the one we all have to think about with every patron — where is the fine line between helping the patron find the answer and just plain finding it for them! I like to err on the side of giving them the tools they need to be able to answer the question. Plus, with tax questions, not answering them is definitely not a cop-out. I agree that you gave a great answer. The real Reference Question is the one we all have to think about with every patron — where is the fine line between helping the patron find the answer and just plain finding it for them! I like to err on the side of giving them the tools they need to be able to answer the question.

Plus, with tax questions, not answering them is definitely not a cop-out.

]]> By: defconsult http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/2008/02/16/reference-question-of-the-week-21008#comment-49260 defconsult Sun, 17 Feb 2008 17:07:43 +0000 http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/?p=262#comment-49260 I think you gave him excellent direction. Beyond looking at the basic IRS info, what he really needs is advice from an expert international tax accountant and/or lawyer. Last time I checked, that type of advice falls well outside the role of a reference librarian. I think you gave him excellent direction. Beyond looking at the basic IRS info, what he really needs is advice from an expert international tax accountant and/or lawyer. Last time I checked, that type of advice falls well outside the role of a reference librarian.

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