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----------------------------Original message---------------------------- This is the posted electronic reference form & policy at the General Libraries, Univ. of Texas at Austin: "UT Library Online - Electronic Reference Form A service for students, faculty and staff of UT Austin for asking short, factual questions. To consult a librarian call for an appointment or visit the library. If you are not affiliated with UT Austin, expect a reply only about unique resources of the General Libraries. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- UT Austin ID Number (leave blank if not affiliated with UT Austin): Name: Email Address (will reply by email only): Forward this question to: Question: To ensure privacy, clear screen after sending message." I don't always have time to get back to non-UT folks right away, but I eventually respond even just to send them a copy of our policy and refer them to a library closer to home. We do have unique collections in some areas so there are times (less than half-a dozen per month) when I will spend considerable time following-up on a request. Most of my questions from UT students can be answered quickly, by refering them to appropriate indexes and subject terms or to a particular source. I must admit that over the last year there has been a gradual increase in e-mail questions---but that's partly my own doing, since I promote the service during orientations & bib. instruction sessions. Best, Janine Henri >----------------------------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 > >==================================================================== >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 >==================================================================== Head Librarian Architecture & Planning Library The General Libraries/P.O. Box P The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas 78713-8916 (512) 495-4623 [log in to unmask]