REFERENCES ON REQUEST

While “Where’s the restroom?” is hands-down the most frequenty asked question of reference librarians, the most popular phone-in queries are somewhat less urgent. A sample:

L.A. COUNTY LAW LIBRARY

“ ‘How do I do my own divorce?’ Fortunately, we have a book with that exact title. I think it’s in its 21st edition.”--Kevin O’Farrell, reference librarian

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MARGARET HERRICK LIBRARY OF THE ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES

“Who is somebody’s agent, depending on who’s hot. This week I’ve been asked about Sandra Bullock and Tom Cruise.”--Russ Butner, reference librarian

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RESEDA PUBLIC LIBRARY

“Information from Kelley Blue Book for prices on new and used cars.”--Frank Navarro, senior librarian

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LOS ANGELES CENTRAL LIBRARY, CHILDREN’S LITERATURE DEPARTMENT

“A lot of adults say, ‘I read this book when I was 5, but I can’t remember the title. There was a boy, he had a sister with blonde hair . . . can you find it for me?’ “--Cheryl Grudem, reference librarian

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MILLIKAN LIBRARY, CALTECH

“ ‘What’s the elevation of Pasadena?’ I’m not sure why.”--David Schwarm, reference assistant

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FRANCES HOWARD GOLDWYN HOLLYWOOD REGIONAL BRANCH, LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY

“One of the most popular requests is the book ‘Free Money for People in the Arts,’ because people are looking for grants, loans, money for whatever film and video projects they’re involved in.”--Evelyn Fenton, reference librarian

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LOS ANGELES CENTRAL LIBRARY, SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

“What time the sun will set on a particular day. They’ll say, ‘I’m getting married and I want to be married the second the sun sets.’ ” --Jackie Ruben, reference librarian

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LOS ANGELES COUNTY ANTHONY QUINN PUBLIC LIBRARY, EAST LOS ANGELES

“People call and ask if Anthony Quinn is here, how they knew him or went to school with him, and that they want to get in touch with him. We just tell them we’re not at liberty to give out that information.”--Elsa Murga, library assistant