----------------------------Original message----------------------------
At the top of our form we have the following statement:
Who may use this request form?
This electronic service is intended for use by UofL: faculty, staff, and
students. All others will receive a reply only if questions are limited to
very general information about UofL or its library system.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After the boxes requesting user information and above the box where the
question is to be typed we have the following statement:
Please limit to questions which are basic and factual, for example: the birth
and death dates of an artist or the address/phone number of an organization.
***Do not send in-depth research questions. ***
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This hasn't stopped people from sending in-depth questions or even questions
not related to art. But at least we have the disclaimer on the page.
Gail Gilbert
[log in to unmask]
Margaret M. Bridwell Art Library
Schneider Hall
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
502-852-6741
http://www.louisville.edu/library/art
>>> Marcy Neth <[log in to unmask]> 11/18 3:29 PM >>>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Dear Colleagues,
At the Ryerson & Burnham Libraries, we recently moved our
"ask-a-reference-librarian" from a straight e-mail link on our Web Site to
a form-based query page. We were hoping to reduce the number of requests
by requiring certain information, but it did the exact opposite. Requests
have skyrocketed in the past couple of weeks.
Generally we treat e-mail requests like phone requests, but
perhaps a new policy needs to be found. I am curious about other
institution's solutions to some of the problems we have come across. If
you provide e-mail reference service what is your policy for answering
these questions? Do you require the patron to be a member or student at
your institution? Do you have limits on what you will answer? We would be
grateful for any experience you can offer.
Thanks.
Marcy Neth
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Marcy Neth, Senior Reference Librarian e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Ryerson and Burnham Libraries phone: 312-443-3936
The Art Institute of Chicago fax: 312-443-0849
111 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60603-6110
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