Why does the caller need the literature?

Lib: Good morning, City Central Library. May I help you?
Man: Yes. I want to order some books and copies of articles please. You can send them to me through post or courier, can’t you?
Lib: Yes, certainly. I’ll just get the form and take down some details. First your name please, sir.
Man: Lester Mackie. That’s capital M, A—C—K—I—E.
Lib: Mackie, Lester. And your membership number.
Man: That’s M 9301274.
Lib: M930...
Man: 1-2-7-4.
Lib: Thank you. Now your address please. That’s the address you want to send the items to.
Man: It’s 17 Westmeath Road, Annandale.
Lib: And could I have your phone number and your fax number please?
Man: Yes. The fax number is 863-5923.
Lib: 863-59237
Man: That’s correct. The daytime phone number is 02-579-6363 and after 5:00 p.m. It’s 579-1857.
Lib: 579-1857. Thank you. And may I ask why you’ll be needing the books? I’m sorry about this, but we have to have this information whenever we send books out from a telephone request.
Man: No problem. I’m preparing a short article for the environment watch section of the local newspaper. We’re quite concerned about the problems we’re facing here now, especially since we’ve been getting so many tourists in the district.
Lib: Oh I know. I’m so glad someone is doing something about publicizing the problem.
Man: Now how long can I keep the books for?
Lib: Well as you know our normal loan period is three weeks with a two week extension over the phone. However, in cases where we send books out by post we allow a longer initial loan period to allow for the delivery time. So you may have the books for six weeks from the date of postage. But I’m afraid the two week extension won’t apply then. However you would be able to renew them by bringing them in for stamping, provided no one else has a reserve on them.
Man: I should think the normal period will be enough. Now how do you prefer the postage and photocopy fees to be paid?
Lib: We accept both cash and credit card, but it will be such a small sum. It might be more convenient to send us a money order.
Man: Hmm. Would it be alright if I left it until I come in next time and just pay cash then?
Lib: Of course. There’s no problem with that at all.
Man: Fine. I’ll do that. Shall I tell you the articles I want copied first?