[4] These stages may occur in loops; for example when a clarification of the question leads to the need to establish more background information on the query topic.
When the reference librarian believes that the query is fully understood, they attempt to provide resources to help satisfy it.
The important but often overlooked final step is checking that the information or service provided was indeed what the library user required.
A lack of follow-up, checking that the user found what they required, is one of the common mistakes made in the reference interview.
The librarian typically has little insight into the social and psychological barriers that might be preventing the user from explaining their question accurately, and so must take care when developing it.
As people increasingly use the internet to make major, life-affecting decisions, they might also require the services of professionals who are able to provide help in this environment.
[13] In the age of information overload, a successful reference interview may empower users to confidently make such decisions in their lives.