Maybe it's because they only think it is worthwhile because we are doing it as a special favor for them. We are using our special knowledge and skills to sort through the morass of information out there to deliver the best information possible in the most efficient manner. Value Your Marksmanship Don't sell yourself too cheaply. Our students are entitled to research consultations for as long as they need, but few students take advantage of this service. Yet more than once someone has suggested to me that I offer an hour of research consultation to be auctioned off to the law school community at our Public Interest Law Foundation's annual fundraiser.
Some people do see the value in our services.
Make sure others know that we know our contribution is valuable. This is even more important in for-profit situations where the bottom line is the bottom line. Request billing-codes to charge for your time when people request research services. People don't value what they can get for free. It's not enough to do Public Relations within your library.