Many years ago (back in the late 80's and early 90's) Hayden Library here at
ASU had their own research service. It was known as FIRST (Fee-Based
Information Research Services Team). FIRST charged by the hour ($70) and also
had the patron pay whatever telecommunication costs were incurred if a
mediated computer database search had to be done. FIRST was mostly used by
outside (not ASU community patrons) business people to do trademark and other
business type research. Students also used the service to do their basic
research for them.

After about two years, the administration in the library discontinued the
service. It was decided that although the service broke even at least once,
that it could not turn a profit, and therefore was a losing proposition.

ASU currently offers a Library Express service that will locate and photocopy
articles for patrons (for a fee) and that will deliver said articles. However,
the patron must do their own research to find the citations. I conduct library
research (and sometimes Internet research) for patrons for about $25 an hour.
This service has mostly been used by off-campus and long distance patrons who
ask for in-depth help to find articles and books. I sometimes send the
photocopies to these patrons, but it is usually a simple citation search
(simple for me at least).

Anita Cohen-Williams; Reference Services; Hayden Library
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ  85287-1006
PHONE: (602) 965-4579              FAX: (602) 965-9169
[log in to unmask]  Owner: HISTARCH, SPANBORD, SUB-ARCH