GUIDELINES FOR CAMLS INTERLIBRARY REFERENCE SERVICE

I. SCOPE

This is a voluntary agreement adopted by the CAMLS libraries to provide the best information
and reference service to all our area residents and member libraries by utilizing our combined collection strengths and the professional experience of our staffs.

II. DEFINITION

Interlibrary reference service is the free exchange of information, resources and staff expertise
among CAMLS libraries to support user needs for information.

III. RESPONSIBILITIES

A. GENERAL GUIDELINES

1. A library will accept a reference question from another library for information
of a definite nature which can be expected to be found in print or nonprint
format.

2. All requests for service will receive prompt attention. When an immediate
response is not possible, the telephone number of the library is taken and the
call returned as soon as it is possible to do so.

These guidelines refer to reference service, not research. Ask another library
for an answer only when your library would have answered the question if you
had the appropriate source.

 

3. Title requests for specific items must be referred to interlibrary loan.

 

B. INITIATING (REQUESTING) LIBRARY

1. A reference question may be referred to another CAMLS library when
the material on hand at the initiating library/system cannot meet the
user's needs.

 

2. All requests are referred by telephone to the designated service unit
(reference desk, subject department, etc.) of the receiving library. A
library should identify itself and name the information sources that have
already been checked.

NOTE: If an immediate response is not required, a library may
use fax to submit their questions.

 

3. The initiating library will honor any limitations or use of resources which
may be imposed by the receiving library.

 

C. RECEIVING (ANSWERING) LIBRARY

1. The receiving library should provide the same level of attention and
service to a reference request from a CAMLS library as it would to
a question from one of its own users.

 

If the answer cannot be supplied within a reasonable length of time
(based on the activity at the receiving library), the receiving library
should inform the initiating library that the call will be returned. If
possible, estimate the amount of time required to provide an answer.

NOTE: The receiving library will use the fastest and most
efficient means of answering a question, including
e-mail, phone or fax.

 

2. If the answer to a request can be filled with a few pages (1 - 5) pages
of photocopy from a reference source, the receiving library will provide
the copies without charge.