The Importance of the Verb in the Reference Question

Abstract

The development of excellent reference skills is an art, and requires skill. Knowledge of how reference works are organized and work is of utmost importance. The librarian is required, as well, to appreciate and understand user needs. It is necessary to solicit the real question, which often is not the one asked. Here one requires the use of the verb, i.e., effective understanding and use of language. A single example: determining the tense of a verb to decide where or where not to seek the answer.