The level of service and quality of research offered via Central Reference is intended to provide an example of professional excellence. SCLS Reference provides this specialized reference, referral and research service in cooperation with the Patchogue-Medford Library. Skilled librarians answer telephone, written, faxed or e-mail inquiries from member libraries on behalf of patrons. Reference service includes the universe of print and electronic information, as appropriate to the question.

SCLS Reference operates within the context of a rapidly changing information environment. As publishers move toward the electronic dissemination of data, librarians and patrons are challenged to keep pace.

The convergence of the personal computer, networked communications (the Internet) and the World Wide Web in the mid 1990's resulted in a paradigm shift in the way information and data are distributed. As information professionals, public librarians are challenged to positively respond to this shift, assuring the basic level of access to information crucial to the functioning of a democratic society.

The challenge to SCLS Reference was to create an electronic core collection meeting the standards of library collection development policies, to train librarians how to effectively incorporate these resources into their reference service departments and to provide technical support to assist librarians and patrons in successfully connecting to SuffolkWeb and the Virtual Reference Collection.

Virtual Reference Collection currently provides access to a host of subscription databases, whose names and reputations are familiar to library users. Included are thousands of journal/magazine articles, documents, pamphlets, brochures, images, photos, tables, maps, investment reports, news reportage, numeric files, and books.

The pace of change and the explosion of information formats, interfaces and search mechanisms requires continuous training. An "Internet Roundtable" has been developed to address the need for more training to foster the active participation of as many librarians as possible and to provide SCLS Reference with ongoing evaluation and critical feedback.

Workshops on topics pertaining to reference services, such as business resources, medicine, genealogy, copyright, legal resources, and patents are offered regularly. The "Reference Internet Forum" deals with content available on SuffolkWeb and is designed to assist librarians with its integration into their reference service program.

Patchogue-Medford Library and SCLS Reference staff offer on-site Internet training to member libraries.

Visits by member library reference staff to the reference departments of the Patchogue-Medford Library and SCLS provide an ongoing means of communication and consultation. Visiting staff tour the facilities of both the System and Central Library and discuss reference questions and materials.

SCLS and Patchogue-Medford reference librarians visit member libraries to discuss local reference and interlibrary loan concerns and to foster the best use of SCLS backup services. An SCLS staff member is available to visit as "librarian for a day" and, working at the reference desk, evaluate the effectiveness of SuffolkWeb as a tool at the point of service.

Consultant services include advice and assistance on collection development, weeding, and integrating SuffolkWeb into the local service program.

The Humanities Roundtable is for librarians who plan adult book discussion programs and other programs for adults.

Gift and Exchange is a program where library materials not needed by a local library are made available for selection by other libraries.

The Pool Collection is a collection of over 165 book titles, consisting of 15 or 20 paperback copies of each title, available for borrowing from SCLS for adult book discussion groups. Click here to view titles.

The Suffolk Sourcebook, a directory of local associations, clubs, fraternal groups, community and civic organizations is available online via SuffolkWeb, www.suffolk.lib.ny.us.

• The Professional Collection consists of approximately 6,300 volumes dealing with the operation of library and information services. Materials include expensive items not suitable for purchase by every member library.
• Newspapers and periodicals on microfilm are available for loan to local libraries. These include specialized periodicals little used in any single library.
• Sam's Photofacts, schematics of radios, TV's, stereos, CB radios, VCR's and computers, is available for loan to the public through the member libraries.

The mission of Interlibrary Loan is:

• to facilitate intralibrary loan of materials among Suffolk public libraries
• to enable interlibrary loan exchanges between member libraries and othertypes of libraries in Suffolk or libraries in other locations throughout the United States and around the world
• to train library staff members in the use of automated interloan services.

Today the vast majority of the over 300,000 interlibrary loans initiated by Suffolk libraries are managed by computerized interlibrary loan services and delivered directly from one member library to another by the SCLS delivery service. ILL staff at SCLS specialize in hard-to-locate requests. Using computer links to the Nassau Library System, the New York State Library, OCLC and RLIN, they assist member libraries to search throughout the world to better servetheir patrons.

During 2000, the SCLS Interlibrary Loan Department helped to fill over 13,000 member library requests from the Special Collections department at SCLS and 21,000 member library requests for materials outside Suffolk County.

SCLS Special Collections provides economic storage of infrequently requested books and other types of resource materials so that every library in the county need not use limited shelf space to house such items.

• Last Copy. The Last Copy collection of approximately 86,000 volumes is available for loan to local libraries for their patrons. This collection ranges from Barbara Cartland novels to the Nuremberg Trial proceedings.
• Repair Manuals. Service and repair manuals for automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, snowmobiles, inboard/outboard motors, power tools, and household appliances are available to the public through the member libraries.
• Multi-Language Books.
Titles from the multi-language collection of approximately 26,000 volumes in 30 different languages are available. Rotating collections of books from this collection are supplied to member libraries upon request.
• Pool Collection. A collection of multiple copies, in paperback, of books suitable for discussion programs in the member libraries, is available for loan. Click here to view titles.

• Videocassettes. 2,100 videocassette titles are available for loan to local libraries for use by community groups and individuals. All come with public performance rights. This collection specializes in expensive and educational materials which most local libraries would not usually purchase. Titles may be searched and selected through the Union Catalog.

SCLS offers specialized Reference service to libraries and patrons learning to first navigate the Internet. Activities include regular training sessions for member library technical staff.

• Telephone and e-mail assistance for patrons referred by local libraries via SuffolkNet

• The development and distribution of "Getting Started" manuals (over 100,000 in print)

• FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) feature on SuffolkWeb