Yes, it is pretty simple.  Don't do other people's research for them
unless you are adequately compensated for it.  Many research
institutions charge a fee for more than just a cursory search of the
records.  [You figure out what to charge by taking into consideration
not only what your time is worth, but what is not getting done while you
are doing someone's research for them, and how much it would cost to
hire someone to do your work.]  If the researcher is not in your area,
provide a bibliography or send them to a library in their
area--librarians are peaches, and reference librarians are not used (I
don't think) the way they used to be.

This is doubly true for kids working on research projects.  Make sure
that they learn how to do the research themselves, then you won't have
incapable adults asking you to wipe their noses for them.

Claudia Nicholson
Curator
Museum Collections Department
Minnesota Historical Society
345 Kellogg Blvd. W.
St. Paul, MN  55102-1906
      Tel: 612-297-7442
      FAX: 612-297-2967
      e-mail:  [log in to unmask]

>----------
>From:  Barbara E Ware[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
>Sent:  Sunday, June 21, 1998 8:12 AM
>To:    [log in to unmask]
>Subject:       Handling research requests???
>
>Here at the History Center, we have a small library which came to us
>intact from another collection, that is open to the public for research
>on the local area, as well as state information.  We also have a
>genealogy section and a file of family papers generated by researchers
>over the years.
>
> 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.  Of course, if they can come
>
>in to the Center, I try to help them get started with their research,
>but then it is up to them.
>
>One individual had a several part question in which he asked me to send
>him a couple of pages on each part of the question.
>
>Any ideas?
>
>Barbara Ware
>
>--
>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
>