Three possibilities come mind for handling time-consuming research requests
with limited staff time available.

Alternative one - reply (by telephone or mail) that limited staffing does
not permit staff to undertake research, but that you will be happy to assist
researchers using your collections.

Alternative two - compile a list of local researchers who will do research
at your facility for a fee to assist those who cannot come themselves.  Send
the list to those sending you research requests.

Alternative three - offer to have staff do research for a fee.  This is
probably the least desirable because if you have limited staff they probably
already have too much to do and not enough time to do it in.

Serious researchers will understand that your staff does not have the time
to perform research for them.

Hope this helps.

Bill Hanable



<<snip>>
.
>
> We are beginning to generate requests from people, usually by phone or
>email, for some substantial research on our part to answer their
>question.  Up to now, I have been doing as much as I can, but am
>wondering if there is an accepted approach for handling research
>questions that involve staff participation>

<<snip>>

Barbara E. Ware
>Librarian/Archivist
>Tampa Bay History Center
>P.O. BOX 948
>Tampa, FL 33601-0948
>email: [log in to unmask]
>homepage: http://home1.gte.net/thistory
>