34 · SPEC Kit 296
Reference/Public Services
12. Are there written reference/public service policies specifically for Special Collections? N=79
Yes 65 82%
No 14 18%
Selected Comments from Respondents
“Documents include policies and procedures for reader registration, retrieving and reshelving material, quick
tips for reference services, and reprographics.”
“Our paper registration forms provide some guidelines on using our special collections.”
“Policy manual with periodic (at least annual) reference instructional refresher sessions.”
“Public documents are on the Web. Internal procedures manuals are under revision.”
“There have been some major changes in our Special Collections department over the past couple of years,
mainly the head of public services retiring last year after 33 years of services. The new reference/public services
librarian has identified the great need to review the existing policies—new and up-to-date policies and
procedures have recently been or are currently being drafted for public services.”
“These primarily relate to usage and handling of collections by patrons.”
“They take the form of ‘help’ sheets for patrons e.g., information sheets and pathfinders.”
“We are in the final stages of preparing an online public services manual.”
“We do have a departmental reference manual, frequently updated.”
“When registering, patrons must read the ‘rules of use’ and sign an agreement that they have read those rules
and that they agree to abide by these public service policies.”
“Yes, we have an access policy and duplication policies.”
“No, in general the policies of the reference department are followed.”
Reference/Public Services
12. Are there written reference/public service policies specifically for Special Collections? N=79
Yes 65 82%
No 14 18%
Selected Comments from Respondents
“Documents include policies and procedures for reader registration, retrieving and reshelving material, quick
tips for reference services, and reprographics.”
“Our paper registration forms provide some guidelines on using our special collections.”
“Policy manual with periodic (at least annual) reference instructional refresher sessions.”
“Public documents are on the Web. Internal procedures manuals are under revision.”
“There have been some major changes in our Special Collections department over the past couple of years,
mainly the head of public services retiring last year after 33 years of services. The new reference/public services
librarian has identified the great need to review the existing policies—new and up-to-date policies and
procedures have recently been or are currently being drafted for public services.”
“These primarily relate to usage and handling of collections by patrons.”
“They take the form of ‘help’ sheets for patrons e.g., information sheets and pathfinders.”
“We are in the final stages of preparing an online public services manual.”
“We do have a departmental reference manual, frequently updated.”
“When registering, patrons must read the ‘rules of use’ and sign an agreement that they have read those rules
and that they agree to abide by these public service policies.”
“Yes, we have an access policy and duplication policies.”
“No, in general the policies of the reference department are followed.”