Fundamentals of Reference

Reference Service in Special Subjects 85

guidelines counsel us to respect the confidentiality of patrons’ requests and
use tact and discretion when conducting the reference interview.

sources

The guidelines recommend that libraries “evaluate and acquire appropriate
sources in medical, legal and business subject areas that are current, accu-
rate and accessible to meet the needs of the community served” (2.0.1). In
addition, familiarity with public or private agencies or services outside of the
library is encouraged. However, “staff may not make recommendations to
specific lawyers, legal firms, doctors, other medical care providers or business
professionals but may provide access to other information that may help the
user identify and locate those resources” (2.3.5).

Information service responses

for off-site users

As has been noted in chapter 13, “special care must be taken with off-site
requests... since... text-based communication may need explanation or
interpretation” (3.1). Further, such requests for information may need to be
answered with an invitation to come to the library in person for reference
assistance.

ethics

The guidelines state that the ALA’s Code of Ethics “governs the conduct of
all staff members providing the information service” (4.0). The ALA Code of
Ethics is an important expression of the principles guiding the profession and
is included in the appendix.
The Medical Library Association has also instituted a “Code of Ethics for
Health Sciences Librarianship.” Its principles are set forth in broad statements
that provide health sciences librarians with a basis from which to resolve
ethical dilemmas. Among these are the need for health sciences librarians to