Reference offers the latest in online, Web-based tools for finding books and articles, college catalogs and electronic books as well as for searching the Web. Reference librarians provide help in finding and using research tools and in designing research strategies. The staff offers in-person help with research, teaches library classes and creates subject research guides. Telephone assistance, limited to questions that can be handled in a few minutes, is also available. Library instruction classes, taught by library staff, teach students how to do library research.
Librarians work closely with faculty in designing course-related classes.
In these sessions, students learn about research tools and the use of online databases for finding books, articles and Web sites. Sessions are scheduled during class time. Faculty should contact Reference staff at least one week before they want the class scheduled. E-mail reference is for brief, factual questions such as checking library holdings, definitions of words, or addresses of organizations and businesses. Those with in-depth research questions should come to the library.