This manual presents guidelines for providing reference service of the highest possible quality consistent with available resources. The manual is designed for orienting new staff users and serves as a source of information for librarians about departmental policy. The major goals of the reference department of the University of Nebraska (Kearney) are to facilitate access to library collections and their informational content and to support the instructional programs of the university through library and bibliographic instruction. Manual sections include: (1) an introduction; (2) library users; (3) priorities for service; (4) desk service; (5) reference desk staffing policy; (6) interlibrary loan service; (7) bibliographic services; (8) reference correspondence; and (9) orientation and instruction. (SLD)