Alumni and Community Users

Service Commitment

TRU Library Reference Staff will:

• Provide timely, appropriate, helpful, and courteous service whether asked in person, online, or by phone.
• Be approachable, polite, sensitive, efficient, and knowledgeable.
• Respect the patron’s privacy and confidentiality.
• Make informed referrals when appropriate.
• Provide effective reference interviews, listen attentively, and connect patrons with resources that will answer their information needs.
• Answer all questions when possible within the limitations imposed by legal, financial, or access constraints.
• Follow Reference and User Services Guidelines (RUSA) whenever possible.

Eligibility

• The TRU Library provides reference services to anyone who requests assistance. However, current TRU students, faculty, and staff take priority over requests for assistance by the non-TRU community.
• The TRU Library does not offer an expedited or “Rush” system for requests for assistance. All requests are processed on a “first-come, first-served” basis.

Limitations of Reference Services

• When the reference staff member has multiple patron demands, first priority is placed on serving the needs of current TRU students and faculty.
• It is expected that a telephone request will entail significant research time, a return call may be required, or refer them to visit the reference desk, or book a one on one consultation.
• The Library is not equipped to handle most questions of a genealogical nature. These requests are referred to the TNRD public library.
• Reference assistance at TRU does not include giving legal or medical advice or opinions.