> We are beginning to generate requests from people, usually by phone
> or email, for some substantial research on our part to answer their
> question.

        I have heard that some libraries are now charging a fee for
answering substantial questions (I don't know which libraries, but I could
ask since our own history center is receiving all sorts of substantial
queries and is looking into ways to answer them). This way you either
get paid for your time or you get the inquirers to get off their lazy butts
and  actually do the research themselves.
        The department I did my graduate work in got a lot of letters and
calls "from the public" which  were meted out to the graduate students,
which we answered as we saw fit. Some took a lot of time in answering
all questions, suggested places to look for answers, while others were
politely told that perhaps if they took a few more physics classes they'd
realize that their theory was completely in error and that is why no one
would publish it (it was an astronomy department and everyone has their
theory on the universe). So perhaps  if you have access to graduate
students of some form, you might try using them - it gives them practice
in researching and explaining topics on which they are not working.


        Just a few ideas.

                                                Angela Putney
                                                American Institute of Physics
                                                [log in to unmask]