"This essential desk-book helps the information professional become self-sufficient in answering enquiries. Step by step, it guides the reader through all the stages of research, from finding out what the enquirer really wants, to providing a polished, value-added answer. Designed as a one-stop manual of techniques, which will be equally effective in large or small libraries and information units, the emphasis is on how to make the best use of limited resources. It includes the author s list of 25 multi-purpose reference sources one can t afford to ignore, and the crucial Success at the enquiry desk enquiry form, which is especially designed to match the book s step-by-step approach to enquiry answering." "This fifth edition of the best selling practical guide is fully revised throughout with new examples and techniques. It illustrates when and when not to use the web, and assesses new developments including blogs, wikis and RSS feeds. It also includes a brand new chapter on acquiring the right tools for the job."--BOOK JACKET.

Successful Enquiry Answering Every Time is designed to guide information professionals through all the stages of research, from finding out what the enquirer really wants, to providing a polished, value-added answer. When people want to satisfy their immediate curiosity they’re much more likely to use a search engine on their mobile device than ask their local library. But while the days of personal intervention in this kind of enquiry are inevitably numbered, the professional skills that underpin them are not. This book uses technology as the enabler of the thought processes that information professionals need to engage in when answering enquiries, and makes the case that new technology, far from making them irrelevant, raises the skill stakes for all. Now in its 7th edition, this book is fully updated to cover new skills, such as: employing critical thinking to manipulate, categorise and prioritise raw search resultsusing strategic reading and abstracting techniques to identify and summarise the essential information the enquirer needs from the retrieved documentsdrawing on established story-telling practice to present research results effectively – whether orally or in writingworking to the POWER model: plan, organise, write, edit, review. This book is ideal for anyone who has to answer enquiries from users in any information role; those working in contact centres who are dealing with information enquiries, processing transactions or trouble-shooting technical issues; and information professionals working on enquiry desks in large or small academic, public, school or special libraries.

To be successful, information managers constantly need to reassess the effectiveness of their information services, and to ascertain whether they are delivering the services their users actually need. Given that information services can now transcend the restrictions of a particular physical location or specific opening hours, it is more essential than ever to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by new technologies. Through the use of case studies, this resource shows how to revamp an existing service, as well as how to create one from scratch. Key issues covered include: . Introducing the concept of the e-information service . What kind of an information service do you want to provide? . Where are the customers? . What kind of information do your customers need and in what formats? . Who needs to be involved in your plans? . Budgeting for your e-information service . Keeping in touch with your customers . Keeping one step ahead of your competitors. Also includes an illustrated glossary of sample electronic services and a list of further information sources. Regardless of the type or size of your organization, this reference will help broaden your horizons, as well as those of your users."

This best-selling 'one-stop' practical guide is designed to help all information professionals become self-sufficient in answering enquiries. Step by step, the book guides the reader through all stages of research, from finding out what the enquirer really wants to providing a polished, value-added answer. There’s an emphasis throughout on how to make the best use of limited resources – and a final chapter offers practical advice on how to set up an enquiry service from scratch or revive a run-down one. This fully updated sixth edition features a brand new chapter on remote enquiry handling by email, SMS and instant messaging. It has cutting-edge coverage of developments in mobile media, social networking, microblogging and e-books. The new Starter Sources section provides an essential and up-to-date list of quality-checked reference sources, on the web and in print. In this edition: • What do they really want? (How to make sure you really understand the question.) • Flying blind. (Why remote enquiry handling is different.) • Getting started (Dealing with the panic – thinking clearly.) • Smarter searching. (Tips for efficient search strategies.) • Help! Everything’s going wrong. (When you can’t find the answer and you’re running out of time.) • Success! Now let's add some value. (Presenting your answer well is part of the job.) • Setting up – how do you start? (Establishing your own enquiry service from scratch.) • Choosing your toolkit. (Resources that you’ll need to run your enquiry service.) Readership: Ideal for anyone who has to answer enquiries from users in any environment, this essential manual is suitable for use in large or small libraries and information units. Anyone working in a contact centre – dealing with information enquiries or processing transactions or trouble-shooting technical issues – should find it useful too. And it's particularly valuable for information professionals and those working on enquiry desks in academic, public, school and special libraries. It doesn’t matter whether your job is actually finding answers for people or helping others find the answers for themselves. This book is for you.

Designed to complement every introductory library reference course, this is the perfect text for students and librarians looking to expand their personal reference knowledge, teaching failsafe methods for identifying important materials by matching specific types of questions to the best available sources, regardless of format. Guided by a national advisory board of educators and practitioners, this thoroughly updated text expertly keeps up with new technologies and practices while remaining grounded in the basics of reference work. Chapters on fundamental concepts, major reference sources, and special topics provide a solid foundation; the text also offers fresh insight on core issues, including ethics, readers' advisory, information literacy, and other key aspects of reference librarianship;selecting and evaluating reference materials, with strategies for keeping up to date;assessing and improving reference services;guidance on conducting reference interviews with a range of different library users, including children and young adults;a new discussion of reference as programming;important special reference topics such as Google search, 24/7 reference, and virtual reference; anddelivering reference services across multiple platforms As librarians experience a changing climate for all information services professionals, in this book Cassell and Hiremath provide the tools needed to manage the ebb and flow of changing reference services in today's libraries.

How ambitious are you? Do you have a career plan? Are your skills up-to-date? Where do you want to be in three, five or ten years' time? This book is an essential read for any information professional eager to prosper in the library and information environment of the 21st century. It offers guidance on managing every stage of your career, whether you are a new entrant to the profession wishing to know how to get a foot on the ladder, an information professional in mid-career wishing to progress, or a candidate for a more senior position needing a view of the current state of the profession. Since publication of the first edition there have been a number of changes in employment law, and in the range of skills - online, linguistic, negotiating and consultancy, for example - required for an information professional to be able to deliver the information services of the future. Making full use of case studies, summaries, further readings and referrals to websites and other sources of practical help, this indispensable guide offers advice on: Challenges and changes in employment for LIS professionals Acquiring new types of skills Your master career plan Starting your career in information work Applying for a job Your successful interview Going for promotion Looking sidewards. Readership: This is an essential deskbook to explore if you are an information professional in any sector and at any level wishing to learn the skills and techniques to sell yourself with confidence to current and future employers.

This book is intended as a guide to help those who need to set up a library or information service in their organization, irrespective of subject background or type of organization. It will help both those who have qualifications but no experience in setting up such a centre and those who have had no training at all. The authors have had many years experience setting up information services in different subject backgrounds for a wide range of organizations both in the UK and in many countries. This book will hold your hand as you tackle the many steps to take as you create a successful information service - irrespective of size. Topics covered include: the reasons for establishing a library what information is needed, how quickly and in what quantities (information audit approach) meeting the information needs of special users premises and furniture equipment and Internet access technical requirements staffing managing budgets and finance managing people - staff and management networking and locating sources of information Readership: The book also has a full list of appendices of sample documents from newsletter and press releases to lists of basic reference books and periodicals.

Effectively the eighth edition of Aslib's flagship Handbook of Special Librarianship and Information Work, the definitive reference source on information theory, practice, and procedure since 1957.