Information Literacy Skills > Searching people sources

Introduction

In any information task you may be seeking expert knowledge, experience or opinions from appropriate people. These may include some of the following:

• family and friends
• teachers
• library or information resource centre staff
• employees in businesses and organisations
• volunteers in charities, clubs and societies
• experts in any field of work or leisure.

Although there are different ways of approaching the task, the most efficient way is to ask yourself the following three questions:

• WHO should I contact?

You want to contact the people who can provide you with the most useful information. So you need to consider how you will identify the best contacts.

• HOW will I contact them?

How will I actually get in touch with them?

Will I contact them by letter or e-mail, on the telephone or face-to-face?

• WHEN will I get the information?

You will need to get the information at the appropriate point in your information task. But remember, most people have busy lives and so you must fit in with their schedule.

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