Global Librarian : Who can use Global Librarian?

Who can use Global Librarian?

Global Librarian is available to anyone entitled to receive the public library services of Southampton City Libraries (United Kingdom), Surrey Public Library (British Columbia, Canada), and Vaughan Public Libraries (Ontario, Canada).

You don’t have to be a member of Southampton, Surrey, or Vaughan Libraries, but you must either:

Live, work or study in the City of Southampton, City of Surrey, or the City of Vaughan
Have current membership of either Southampton, Surrey, or Vaughan Libraries
Own property in the City of Surrey or the City of Vaughan
or
Have an inquiry which can only reasonably be answered by a library in Southampton, Surrey or Vaughan (e.g. a question about the history of either city)

Global Librarian will be pleased to respond to inquiries from anyone who lives, works or studies in the City of Southampton, the City of Surrey, or the City of Vaughan, or has valid membership in either one of the libraries.

Global Librarian will not be able to assist you in the following cases:

If you are not eligible to receive the public library services of either Southampton City Libraries, Surrey Public Library, or Vaughan Public Libraries
If your inquiry does not relate to resources or information related to special or unique collections held by either library such as local history material
If your inquiry falls outside the remit of public library services as defined by the Partners’ governing bodies.

If Global Librarian receives inquiries which are not eligible for answer, the inquirer will be informed that Global Librarian is unable to help.

Am I a member of a Global Librarian Partner’s library service?

To find out if you are entitled to membership of one of the public libraries belonging to Global Librarian, visit the relevant Web site:

Southampton City Libraries

Surrey Public Library

Vaughan Public Libraries

What kind of questions can I ask Global Librarian?

Global Librarians will:

Help you find answers to factual questions
Guide you to good sources of information to help you form an opinion or an argument about a subject
Identify expert organizations, individuals or agencies who can answer your question
Refer you to quality sources of information
Identify books, magazines, database Web sites and other sources of electronic information on subjects of interest to you

Must I provide personal information to use Global Librarian?

Global Librarian requires an accurate e-mail address to send an answer to, and your telephone number and postal code. This information is required to maintain the quality of Global Librarian services, enabling staff to measure the effectiveness of the service. You will not be contacted by mail or by phone unless you agree in advance to this option. See also Privacy.

How often can I use Global Librarian?

You can submit as many inquiries as you like to Global Librarian, but they must all fall within the Conditions of Use set out here. If your inquiries fall outside the range of Global Librarian’s activities, staff may suggest that you take one of the following courses of action:

Visit or join your local library to obtain the help or resources you require
Contact a specialist organization (e.g. if you are researching your family tree, you may be referred to a genealogical organization for assistance)
Discuss a school or college assignment with your teacher or tutor