This paper is an explication of the concept of a network of consultants to help people obtain answers to day-to-day questions for which answers are known. Each member of such a network is viewed to have three capabilities: 1)answering questions directly from his own memory, 2)answering questions with the aid of library resources, and 3)referring the question to a member of the same network or to an expert outside it. Conditions are derived which involve each member's ability to choose appropriately among the three alternatives. If he judges correctly concerning when and where to refer a question, such a network, suitable organized, has greater net utility than does a reference librarian by himself. Mathematical models are used to formulate and analyze designs for the referential consulting function. It is argued that the existence of such a network makes possible a much broader range of information service to the community than is afforded by traditional reference librarianship. (Author/JB)