The supervisor is out for the day. You receive a telephone call from another city department asking to borrow one of the books. What is the most advisable action to take first?

The supervisor is out for the day. You receive a telephone call from another city department asking to borrow one of the books. What is the most advisable action to take first?

• A. Lend immediately
• B. Tell them you'll check and call back the next day.
• C. Refuse
• D. Ask for written request

Answer: (B)

When a supervisor isn’t available, you must verify the library’s rules before lending any material. The best first move is to acknowledge the request and say you’ll check the policy and get back to them. This shows you’re following proper procedures, protects the library’s materials, and avoids making an unapproved commitment. Practically, you’d consult the department’s lending policies or the supervisor’s guidance, confirm whether this book can be lent to another city department, and check the book’s current status (whether it’s on shelf, checked out, or on reserve) and the correct loan terms. If the policy allows it, you can relay the process and expected timeframe for a formal approval. If not, you can explain what would be required (such as a written request or an alternate arrangement) and offer a suitable alternative. Lending immediately would bypass the needed authorization, which could violate policy. Refusing outright can be unnecessarily rigid when a proper channel exists. Requiring a written request on the spot may delay a legitimate need, whereas the best course is to verify and follow the approved procedure.

When a supervisor isn’t available, you must verify the library’s rules before lending any material. The best first move is to acknowledge the request and say you’ll check the policy and get back to them. This shows you’re following proper procedures, protects the library’s materials, and avoids making an unapproved commitment.

Practically, you’d consult the department’s lending policies or the supervisor’s guidance, confirm whether this book can be lent to another city department, and check the book’s current status (whether it’s on shelf, checked out, or on reserve) and the correct loan terms. If the policy allows it, you can relay the process and expected timeframe for a formal approval. If not, you can explain what would be required (such as a written request or an alternate arrangement) and offer a suitable alternative.

Lending immediately would bypass the needed authorization, which could violate policy. Refusing outright can be unnecessarily rigid when a proper channel exists. Requiring a written request on the spot may delay a legitimate need, whereas the best course is to verify and follow the approved procedure.