1.1 Define the precise nature of the enquiry in conjunction with the client

Table of Contents

1. The Reference Interview
2. Finding out what the client wants to know
3. Spoken and written communication
4. Open and Closed Questions
5. Nature of information required
   1. Quantity
   2. Level
   3. Level of information required
   4. Format
   5. Available formats
6. Constraints
7. Special needs
8. Further Information

Nature of information required

Apart from the actual topic of investigation, there are other factors which need to be taken into account before a member of library staff will embark on the information search.

There are three main factors:

• the quantity of information required
• the level of information required
• the format of information required

Now move on to the Quantity of information required ...