Reference
Services
 Reference
Services provides assistance to library
users in understanding what information
is available both inside and outside
the library. Librarians and staff at
the Reference Desk on the library's
first floor are available to answer
questions, assist with research, and
explain the use of printed and electronic
resources.
Additionally, the librarians offer instruction in
the use of information resources. Teaching faculty
may request that a librarian address a class on a
specific topic, give an orientation tour, discuss
Internet research methods, or help design a class
assignment. The ultimate goal is to teach students
that library use involves making appropriate research
choices, to introduce an awareness of the breadth
of print and electronic resources in the library,
and to encourage students to consider librarians
a valuable
resource throughout their years at Southwestern.
When classes are in session, reference assistance
is generally available weekdays from 10:00 am - 10:00
pm, Monday - Thursdays, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm on Fridays,
and on Sundays from 1:00 pm - 10:00 pm.
Effective reference involves access to a growing
array of electronic
databases and services. The
library's homepage provides our users with access to
the extensive electronic resources to which the library subscribes,
and to the library's online catalog. The site links students
and faculty with periodical indexes and other databases,
including many full text journal and newspaper sources, and
with online sources such as encyclopedias, almanacs, directories,
and bibliographies. Online subject guides developed by the
librarians lead users to subscription sources and to quality
web sites.
The web-based resources to which the library subscribes
are available from any campus terminal; some are
also available off campus after consultation with
a reference librarian.
Reference Services welcomes electronic reference
questions from the Southwestern community through our web Request
Form. In addition to assisting students and faculty
with research questions, Reference Services offers
interlibrary loan and document delivery services.
Current faculty, students, and staff can place requests
online to obtain materials not owned by the library
through Interlibrary Services.
The general phone number of the Reference Desk is
(512) 863-1549. Contact information for individual
librarians can be found at the Library
Directory page.
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