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Reference

Service Policy: Reference

The Fargo Public Library provides reference services to customers in the library, over the telephone, by mail, and via e-mail through the library’s website. Reference staff is available for assistance at the Main Library and Dr. James Carlson Library. The library staff strives to answer all requests for information in a timely, efficient, and accurate manner; however, customers who are being served or waiting in person will take precedence over other requests. There is a voice mail system for telephone requests that library staff answers as soon as time permits. E-mail and mail requests are also answered within a reasonable amount of time. Reference services may be limited at the library’s branches; customers will be redirected to the reference department at the Main Library when appropriate.

Reference Requests Received by Mail, Email, Letter or Phone: The reference librarian receiving the request will determine its complexity. If the response will take more than 30 minutes of staff time, the customer will be referred to other sources, such as his/her state library, interlibrary loan, national lending programs, etc. Print material such as Forum articles will be scanned and sent by email. Every effort will be made to fulfill requests within 24 hours.

Non-circulating Materials: Certain materials in the library collection are not available for checkout because of their intrinsic value, the difficulty of replacing them, or their frequent use. These include materials classified as Reference (adult or youth), North Dakota Collection, newspapers, and current periodicals.

Microform Reader/Printers: Patrons may use the microform equipment as long as they need to unless other users are waiting. If so, there is a limit of 30 minutes. Patrons may bring their own microforms and use library equipment. The printing charge is ten cents per copy.

Discarded Materials: In order to be fair and equitable to all patrons and maintain fire safety, discarded materials will not be saved for patrons.

#0014-2001
Approved 01-15-2002
Revised 04-26-2005
Revised 06-17-2014
Reviewed 06-19-2018
Revised 11-19-2019
Reviewed 04-18-2023