Organization Alert: Linda Hall Library

“County library? Reference desk, please. Hello? Yes, I need a word definition. Well, that's the problem. I don't know how to spell it and I'm not allowed to say it. Could you just rattle off all the swear words you know and I'll stop you when...Hello?” -- Calvin & Hobbes (Fictional characters from the comic series created by Bill Watterson.)

When you consider using an information consultant ... consider using Linda Hall Library's (http://www.lindahall.org) reference services.

During my career as corporate librarian for NASA, Brown & Root (now known as KBR), and Aramco, I used Linda Hall Library services frequently.

Linda Hall also offers document delivery and a database known as Difficult to Find Engineering Papers. According to the Linda Hall Web …

“This database includes a selection of engineering papers that have proven to be difficult to find. They are difficult to find because, in some cases, indexing sources have not included paper numbers or because some papers were not indexed at all by the major indexing services. Though some of the papers included in the database were published as early as 1952, most of the papers were published between 1991 and 2001, most by ASME and ASCE. The database was developed as a finding aid for these papers and no attempt has been made to make the database comprehensive. Additional titles may be added as time allows.

“Please contact the Linda Hall Library Reference Department for help using this database. All of these papers are available from the Linda Hall Library Document Services or may be used in the Library.”
source: http://www.lindahall.org/services/reference/resources/search.php///////

The Linda Hall Web is worth visiting when you need outside reference assistance. It also is useful to use as a base line should you consider using an independent information professional. For example, here is an excerpt from the “reference fees” page …

Linda Hall Library Fees for Searches
In addition to hourly fees, subject searches may include database fees. Rush searches are provided, dependent on staff availability.
•Regular: $50 per hour
•Rush: $75 per hour
Verification of date of receipt
•Regular: $50 per hour
•Rush: $75 per hour
///////

Note that an independent information professional might quote higher hourly rates. They may well be justified. But using the Linda Hall Library fees as a baseline, you can reasonably expect a justification for higher fees from other organizations.

I invite you to invite me … to join your LinkedIn network. Visit my LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/jeansteinhardtresearch