Reference Service

The Herrin City Library Board of Trustees and Library Director of Herrin City Library encourage staff of all levels to pursue continuing education opportunities which will enable them to better meet the needs of the library’s clients. All staff members receive in-house training regarding appropriate responses to client questions, including reference questions. This training includes reference interviewing techniques, reader’s advisory service, and bibliographic instruction. All staff members are taught to treat each client and question asked with respect. Names of users and the transactions which occur between users and the staff are confidential and not discussed outside a professional context.

Reference service and materials are available to all persons regardless of their age, religion, race, sex, social or economic status. Reference service and materials are available during all hours the library is open and is provided in response to all forms of inquiry including but not limited to clients in the library, the telephone, fax, email, and TTY. Questions which cannot be answered with on-site resources are referred to another agency. Such referrals are verified and/or mediated by library staff.

In the instance of legal, medical, investment, or tax reference questions, the staff may only guide the client to the material available on the topic of interest. The staff may not evaluate or interpret the information provided nor may the staff define the meaning of terms, offer investment advice, select income tax forms or serve as a surrogate for a professional in any of the fields listed above. If all materials within the library are beyond the understanding of the client, the client will be advised to consult with their professional from the above listed fields for additional information or advice.

Reference questions related to Herrin History will be referred to the Herrin History Room lead researcher.  Use of the Herrin History Room and assistance with genealogy research is by appointment only. Patrons may however conduct self-guided research on the HHR genealogy research computer by appointment or when not otherwise in use.

Approved 11-8-2022