When you can look up books

It has come to my attention that some of you are confused over when you can look up books for patrons and when you should not. Any reference questions for patrons is off limits, even if you are trained to work the reference desk, but looking up books for Circulation actions is something that you can still do.

 
The most important question that you always need to ask the patron is are they looking for books on a general topic or are they looking for a book on course reserve? By asking those questions will help avoid a lot of confusion and time. You are not to look up books for patrons, if they ask you about a book that we might have, simply tell them to go upstairs to the reference desk and the reference desk can answer your question up there.
 
You are still expected to look up items to perform regular Circulation tasks that the reference department doesn’t handle. In addition to looking up course reserves, you can use the catalog to pull up item information for filling out a book locator form, verifying if a book is checked out and placing a hold when necessary.  

If you have any question please come and ask Peggy, Kym or me.
 
Thanks,
 
Clay