6.1 Define the detail of a complex enquiry in conjunction with the client

Table of Contents

1. Reference interview techniques for complex enquiries
2. Eliciting information and advice from knowledgeable clients
3. Determining the nature of detailed information to be provided
   1. Quantity
   2. Level
   3. Other factors affecting level
   4. Format
   5. Other factors affecting format
4. Constraints

Other factors affecting format

It will be important to check the specificationof the client's computer in order to be sure that it will support audio or video applications. Another point to ask about is whether the client had a broadband connection. Downloading photographs, movies or sound on a dial-up connection can take considerable lengths of time (It may not even be possible with dial-up technology.) and is costly in terms of telephone charges.

If the search is not carried out with the client present, you must ascertain if the client can visit the library at a later time to access the search results or if the information must be in a format which can be e-mailed or posted to the client.

Difficulties may arise if the client has expressed an initial preference for a format in which the information is not actually available. If the information is only available in a limited number of formats, you must alert the client to this and ascertain if any of these formats are acceptable.

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