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Locating Reference Material We DO give personal assistance. Please ASK for it at the Reference Desk, located in the reference room on the first floor of the Smith Library Center. Reference librarians can help you find information on particular topics, search printed and electronic sources, and use the Internet. We can also answer questions about the services and resources of the Smith Library Center. (Click here for library hours.) While we cannot come to your dorm room, we have also developed an Ask-a-Librarian chat and e-mail Reference Service for Southwestern University students, faculty, and staff. Please note: asking a reference question through email is not recommended if your question involves detailed or extensive research. Reference Collection Reference sources are works that are designed to be consulted for specific information, rather than read cover to cover. They can be enormously helpful for a wide range of uses including: Extensive biographical sources Directories and other sources of addresses for institutions, agencies, and businesses Background information:general and subject-specific encyclopedias Indexes to periodical literature in various subject areas, both in print and via electronic databases Statistics Bibliographies that may provide a list of additional reading materials Finding Print Reference Sources To locate print reference sources, search the online catalog by choosing "Reference Materials" from the main menu, and then entering keyword to describe your topic. You can also check the library's Subject Guides to find recommended reference sources for specific topics. Finding Online Reference Sites A number of libraries and other organizations have created links to online reference sources. You can link to some of these sites from the library's reference page. Return to Top