Information brokers now come in all sizes, specialties, price ranges and experience levels. But that would be doing both you and the broker a disservice, because rarely is there a single right answer, and you have to look for the subtext. Just as you wouldn't choose an accountant or an attorney unless the chemistry is right, you shouldn't choose an information specialist unless you're comfortable with the person. And, just as with attorneys and accountants, there are times you need special skills. What follows are a few of the areas you might want to consider and explore with prospective brokers.
Education includes both formal schooling and post-education training in information retrieval.
Others may have law, science or business degrees. Still others are journalists or from the liberal arts. While an MLS often gives a broker an advantage in the traditional reference arts, don't overlook the formal training in research which goes into many other degree programs. Either research-oriented degree programs or education in a subject specialty may take precedence over formal research training. A business librarian may not have the right skills when you need a pharmaceutical search - a Ph.D. in chemistry might be a more appropriate broker to perform the job.