Tuesday Tips: Ask Why

When someone asks me a reference question, I always follow-up by asking them "why?"

​Why are you interested in this? Why do you need this? How are you going to use what we find? 

This is not out of curiosity or concern. I ask "Why" because it helps me determine what kind of information you need. Why lets me know format. Why lets me know content level. Why lets me know depth and detail. Why lets me know timeline.

I ask why in many ways and more than once. Then I use what I learn to help you find what you need.

Anytime you look for something, ask yourself "why?" It can help focus your work saving you both time and stress.

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