The ready reference collection in many libraries has a selection of resources that can answer a large number of reference questions that require a brief, factual answer. Reference interview - A reference interview is the dialog between the user and the library staff member to establish the exact question and the scope of the question that the user is asking. Reference service is answering research questions and helping people find useful information with library, community, or Internet resources. Resources - All the materials in any format in a library's collection, for answering reference questions or for patrons to use in the library or to check out. Secondary and Primary - Primary resources are the original resources, the resources with information.
Secondary resources contain information about or leading to the primary resources.
A novel would be a primary resource and a bibliography that listed novels would be a secondary resource. Serial - Serial publications are ongoing publications that come out periodically, such as newspapers, magazines, or journals. Also called a periodical. Statistical resources contain numerical data, tables, charts, or graphs. User - A patron or user is anyone who uses your library, the library services, or any of the library resources.