Services:

The special library functions as a service unit that provides information to further the objectives of the organization it serves. Its total service program is a dynamic one in which the staff anticipates needs and often obtains and presents pertinent information and materials before they are requested. It achieves its objective through reference and bibliographic services, flexible policies concerning loans and distribution of library materials, efficient dissemination of information, and other activities that encourage productive use of the library's resources. THE SPECIAL LIBRARY STAFF LOCATES LIBRARY MATERIALS AND INFORMATION PROMPTLY UPON REQUEST. Inquiries can take the form of requests for particular publications, for specific facts or data, or for information on explicit subjects. The special library staff selects and assesses materials relevant to an individual's need. The special library's reference service reliesupon the staffs special knowledge and experience, their knowledge of the subject interests and working methods of the library's clientele, the library's collection, and agencies or individuals outside the organization that can supplement the library's resources. Answers to requests may involve a time span of several minutes to several hours, or longer. REFERENCE SERVICES INCLUDE LITERATURE SEARCHING, COMPILING BIBLIOGRAPHIES, ABSTRACTING, AND INDEXING. Literature searches conducted in response to specific requests may result in a selected or comprehensive list of references,a formal bibliography, a report of the information obtained, or collected publications for examination. Guidance may be offered to a client who wishes to perform his own literature search. When necessary, the literature searcher may use the resources of other libraries, or the library may arrange for an outside agency t o conduct a literature search. To meet current and future needs the special library staff may on its own initiative prepare selective or comprehensive bibliographies, with annotations or abstracts. When commercial indexing and abstracting services are inadequate for a particular library's eeds, the special library staff compiles continuing bibliographies, indexes, abstracts, or digests of pertinent current literature as an efficient means of providing its clientele with needed information. Provision of speciaI indexes to sources of information and to specific data is also an important reference function. THE SPECIAL LIBRARY L ENDS ITS MATERIALS, WITH THE POSSIBLE EXCEPTION OF REFERENCE SOURCES AND OTHER DESIGNATED RESTRICTED ITEMS. Thelibrary's loan service includes an efficient charging and recall system, with provision for filling clients' requests promptly. Loan policy must be flexible enough to permit maximum use of materials. The library may have a separate document control system for classified technical reports and other

restricted library materials. As a substitute for lending individual items, the library may provide photocopies. It is essential that the library comply with "fair use" practices as applied to copyright material. THE SPECIAL LIBRARY PROVIDES PROMPT TRANSLATION SERVICE. If a translation requested is not readily available, the special library calls upon a qualified staff member or a commercial translation service to furnish it. NEEDED PUBLICATIONS THAT AR E UNAVAILABLE IN THE LIBRARY OR IN THE ORGANIZATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM ANOTHER LIBRARY OR INSTITUTION. Special libraries in communities that have large general library resources may depend upon other libraries f o r materials of peripheral subject interest. The staff is responsible for maintaining detailed information about sources for all types of materials and for establishing a cooperative, reciprocal interlibrary loan program with other libraries, in accordance with the American Library Association Interlibrary Loan Code. Libraries or other institutions may prefer to furnish library materials as photocopy or in microform rather than lend original publications. AN EFFECTIVE SYSTEM FOR MAXIMUM UTILIZATION O F CURRENT PERIODICAL LITERATURE IS AN INT EGRAL PART O F THE SPECIAL LIBRARY'S SERVICE PROGRAM. Th e system adopted will depend upon the nature and extent of periodical use, number of users, and other local factors. One or more of the following systems may be appropriate: display of periodicals in the library, prompt routing on a regular basis to spccific individuals, routing or distribution of tables of contents pages, distribution of a selected list of articles or an abstract bulletin, o r purchase of multiple subscriptions for individuals or groups. Many organizations pay f o r employees' memberships in societies through which journals and othe publications are received. It is often possible for the library to enlarge its collection by making arrangements with such individuals to utilize these publications. CONSULTING ACTIVITIES MAY BE ADDED RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE SPECIAL LIBRARY STAFF. As information specialists in the organization, professional staff members may act as consultants to individuals o r groups who are concerned with organizing personal information files or retrieval systems. T h e staff may also assist research workers by suggesting other sources or agencies f o r materials and information beyond the scope of the library's own resources. T H E SPECIAL LIBRARY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR INFORMING ITS CLIENTELE OF ITS RESOURCES. Specific items of special pertinence can be brought to the attention of individuals through the display of materials, direct routing, acquisition lists of new materials, selective lists, and other bulletins. New services

provided by the staff should be publicized in appropriate publications including library bulletins or the organization's newsletter or employee publication. Orientation of new personnel in the organization may include personal instruction or distribution of a brochure describing the library's holdings and services.