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 Sat, 18 May 2013 18:29:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Brian Herzog http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/2008/02/16/reference-question-of-the-week-21008/#comment-375 Brian Herzog Sat, 23 Feb 2008 23:20:47 +0000 http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/?p=262#comment-375 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-374 Leah Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:44:55 +0000 http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/?p=262#comment-374 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-373 Stephanie Chase Tue, 19 Feb 2008 02:53:45 +0000 http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/?p=262#comment-373 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-372 defconsult Sun, 17 Feb 2008 17:07:43 +0000 http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/?p=262#comment-372 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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