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Information & Referral in the Library and the Community

Staff Development Day Presentation by Nora Armstrong

Erika EarpLois Mouw

May 7, 2010

By the end of this class, we hope you’ll

*Understand the term “Information & Referral” and be familiar with several I&R resources;*Be able to locate the I&R database to perform simple subject searches and know how to use the print version of The Answer Book; and*Gain confidence that you’re providing appropriate, targeted referrals for your customers.

Information & Referral

the practice of matching up people who have human-service needs with the agencies / organizations that can meet those needs.

….which means….?

• info in The Answer Book• Info on organizations that address specific

needs• contact info for current elected/appointed

government officials/offices (local and state)• contact info for current elected officials

(national)• special interest groups, orgs, clubs

IS IT REFERENCE OR I&R?Reference:Factual in nature (how many states

are there?)Contact information for businesses

(phone number for the Sonic in Cliffdale Road)

I&R:Deals with human needs and the

groups/organizations that can meet those needs (I need to find a homeless shelter/bridge group/cancer survivors’ group)

Contact information for local, state, national governmental bodies/people (phone number to Clerk of Court)

Answer Book in Virtua:login

Answer Book in Virtua:search results

Answer Book in Virtua:agency record

Answer Book on the Web

Answer Book on the Web

Answer Book on the Web