After the department catalog has been revised, you cannot find a requested title. What should you do first?

• A. Check in shelves for misfiled book.
• B. Ask a supervisor to search.
• C. Tell the patron to come back later.
• D. Look it up in the catalog yourself.

Answer: (C)

When a requested title isn’t found after a catalog revision, the key is to manage the patron’s expectations with a clear, actionable next step. Saying to come back later communicates that you’re taking their request seriously and will continue the search or follow up at a specific time, which keeps the service moment moving and reduces frustration. It also buys you time to pursue other avenues (such as a shelf check or supervisor search) without leaving the patron empty-handed. While checking shelves or escalating to a supervisor are useful actions, giving the patron a concrete next step first ensures they feel supported and informed while you work on resolving the issue.