Mission
The Reference Department supports the diverse information needs of the University
and community. Reference librarians assist patrons with their research and
provide assistance in finding information at the reference desk, by telephone,
email, chat, and letter. As instructors committed to information literacy, reference
librarians conduct library instruction sessions for the students and faculty
on campus to assist them in identifying, using, and assessing critically
the valuable resources offered by the Libraries. The Department also offers
tours to community groups and visitors as resources permit.
The Department is integrated with two overlapping services of the Libraries:
the subject specialists program and the departmental libraries. Subject
specialists offer expert research consultations to individuals and groups,
as well as instruction to classes in particular disciplines; they select
resources and help manage the collections of the Libraries, which support
research, teaching, and reference itself. Although the University Libraries
embrace a centralized model of reference, the departmental libraries play
a critical reference role and the Reference Department facilitates the
smooth referral of specialized reference transactions throughout the Libraries
to provide patrons with seamless service.
