The reason for having these guidelines is to provide the best possible service to all our patrons. There are some questions which, while we would like to answer them, call for more time than we can devote to any one question. Some types of questions call for judgments or personal evaluations which we don't give. The guidelines can help you decide how to handle some kinds of frequently asked questions. If your library has a set of reference policies you might want to insert a copy here, or make note of where you can find it quickly.
Most libraries have a policy on giving out information from city directories over the telephone.
Some libraries feel it is a violation of people's privacy to give out this information. Other libraries say that since this is public information, it should be freely given as is information from other directories. Be sure you understand your own library's policy on this. There is generally no problem in any library with answering city directory questions which ask for the name and address of the person or business at a particular address, or in allowing any patron full access to the directories when they come to the library in person.